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The "no need" is so patently false. Notwithstanding the obvious privacy implications (your data belongs to you), first thing asked for if you are in the ER blee

The "no need" is so patently false. Notwithstanding the obvious privacy implications (your data belongs to you), first thing asked for if you are in the ER bleeding? Bloodtype.

Scoundreller 7y ago
Doubtful. The risk of giving the wrong blood is so high that the hospital should only rely on a test done right then and there.
- hef19898 7y ago
  Standard procedure as far as I know in German ERs (at least a while back, my mother used to work in clinical laboratories). Even if you have your blood type tattooed on your forehead and a passport stating it they still do it. Because the test is easy and fast, relying on your own up-to-date tests is safer then anything else. If there really is not enough time they could still use 0 negative blood I think.
mikecsh 7y ago
We never rely on patients telling us their blood tyoe, or even past lab results. A test must have been performed recently (in my hospital it’s within the last seven days) for the blood bank to dispense blood. If there is a major haemorrhage the patient will receive the universal donor (O-) while the test for definitive blood type is performed.
- squiggleblaz 7y ago
  I was told that it makes a difference what the patient or their records claim, because it can accelerate obtaining the correct result. Since, it was alleged to me, you don't do a test for "what's your blood type", but rather something more like "is your blood type A-?". Therefore, if they say "oh, I'm O+", you can just run the test "is this person O+?". Is that not the case?
ken 7y ago
Nope. I've been to the ER with a head wound that would not stop bleeding, and was never asked for my blood type. Had they asked, I would have given the wrong answer. My blood was typed when I was born. 25 years later when I started donating blood, I was typed again -- and told a different type. My physicians and phlebotomists assure me blood type cannot change, and old blood tests were simply not very accurate. I don't know any lab or clinic that trusts what someone else claims about blood type.

The "no need" is so patently false. Notwithstanding the obvious privacy implications (your data belongs to you), first thing asked for if you are in the ER bleeding? Bloodtype.

Scoundreller 7y ago

Doubtful. The risk of giving the wrong blood is so high that the hospital should only rely on a test done right then and there.

hef19898 7y ago
Standard procedure as far as I know in German ERs (at least a while back, my mother used to work in clinical laboratories). Even if you have your blood type tattooed on your forehead and a passport stating it they still do it. Because the test is easy and fast, relying on your own up-to-date tests is safer then anything else. If there really is not enough time they could still use 0 negative blood I think.

mikecsh 7y ago

We never rely on patients telling us their blood tyoe, or even past lab results. A test must have been performed recently (in my hospital it’s within the last seven days) for the blood bank to dispense blood. If there is a major haemorrhage the patient will receive the universal donor (O-) while the test for definitive blood type is performed.

squiggleblaz 7y ago
I was told that it makes a difference what the patient or their records claim, because it can accelerate obtaining the correct result. Since, it was alleged to me, you don't do a test for "what's your blood type", but rather something more like "is your blood type A-?". Therefore, if they say "oh, I'm O+", you can just run the test "is this person O+?". Is that not the case?

ken 7y ago

Nope. I've been to the ER with a head wound that would not stop bleeding, and was never asked for my blood type. Had they asked, I would have given the wrong answer. My blood was typed when I was born. 25 years later when I started donating blood, I was typed again -- and told a different type. My physicians and phlebotomists assure me blood type cannot change, and old blood tests were simply not very accurate. I don't know any lab or clinic that trusts what someone else claims about blood type.