Obstetric Haemorrhage

Group and Save vs. Cross-Match

A group and save is required whenever there is the possibility of a patient requiring transfusion e.g. surgical risk, haemorrhage and amaemia

This provides information on blood group and also an antibody screen to determine if they have atypical red cell antibodies for which the lab will then do additional tests to identify these

A group an save is sample processing only

If significant bleeding confirmed, suspected or anticipated then cross matching the patient for blood would be indicated

A crossmatch is when the laboratory provides red cells products for the patient

It is not possible for the laboratory to provide crossmatched blood without having processed a group and save sample first