GUIDELINES FOR EMERGENCY STATUS

The following questions are designed to help identify referrals for immunohematologic resolution that should be elevated to an emergency (STAT) workup.

  1. Patient’s clinical symptoms:
    1. High output failure: heart failure-rapid beating with insufficient O2 delivery.
    2. Angina: coronary artery disease with persistent decrease in O2 delivery to myocardial muscle.
    3. Impending stroke: cerebral vascular disease with persistent decrease in O2 delivery to cerebrum.
  2. Is the patient actively bleeding? Yes / No
    Note: a rapid drop in hemoglobin (> 1 gm/dL / 24 hours) places the patient at risk.
  3. Does the patient require surgery during the next 24 hours? Yes / No
  4. Are all units incompatible? Yes / No
Emergency status should be considered
for those patients who:
  • Suffer any of the symptoms listed in #1. –Or—
  • Have a “yes” answer to either question 2 or 3 and 4.

Turn around time for reporting results (verbally or by fax) on a STAT request is, generally, within 8 hours of sample receipt. Please remember to complete, as thoroughly as possible, the Reference Laboratory Request Form (BS313), and contact United Blood Services laboratory personnel.