Rh(D)- negative RBC can be issued. There should be no
problems for Rh(D) positive patients who lack irregular alloantibodies
such as anti-c, etc. Switching Rh(D) groups involves different considerations than does switching ABO groups. When switching the latter, we are concerned about regularly occurring ABO antibodies causing immediate intravascular hemolysis (IVH) and associated morbidity and mortality. When switching Rh(D) types, we are primarily concerned about the highly immunogenic D antigen stimulating anti-D in Rh(D) negative patients. Production of anti-D will not cause an immediate transfusion reaction. However, it would mean that the patient could never again receive Rh(D) positive red cells; and for women in the child-bearing years or younger, anti-D may cause hemolytic disease in offspring.
Rh(D)- negative RBC can be issued. There should be no
problems for Rh(D) positive patients who lack irregular alloantibodies
such as anti-c, etc.
This is the circumstance most likely to occur due to blood shortages of scarce Rh(D) negative donors (15 percent of Caucasians).
If possible, try to find Rh(D) negative RBC (e.g., from the
blood center or other central supplier). This is especially important if the
patient is a female within the child-bearing years or
younger, for whom stimulation of anti-D could cause future
hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN) in offspring.
Transfusing Rh(D) negative blood is also important for all Rh(D) negative patients since, once
anti-D is made, only Rh(D) negative RBC can be transfused. Research has shown that there is about a 70% chance that the Rh(D) negative patient will produce anti-D if Rh(D) positive RBC are
transfused. Decisions as to when to switch to Rh(D) positive blood for these patients involve factors such as age, prognosis, and how critical the current blood shortage is.
For any patient, if bleeding is life-threatening, Rh(D)
positive RBC can be issued with the permission of the
laboratory medical director.
Depending on the clinical condition of
patients, the director may sometimes elect to transfuse Rh(D)
positive blood early on in order to conserve scarce Rh(D) negative RBC
for patients who really need them,
i.e., young Rh(D) negative females with a good prognosis.
| Switching Rh(D) Groups | 
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