OVERVIEW:
What is the blood group and crossmatch (donor name) lab test?
A blood group and crossmatch (donor name) lab test is a blood test that determines an individual’s blood type and looks for harmful interactions between your blood and the donor blood.
Why is the blood group and crossmatch (donor name) lab test done?
A blood group and crossmatch (donor name) lab test is done in order to:
- Ensure that the blood transfusion will not harm the recipient,
- Find out if you are Rh-positive or Rh-negative during pregnancy,
- Ensure a safe blood transfusion before a major surgery,
- Avoid organ rejection before an organ transplant,
- For the safe treatment of a bleeding disorder,
- Find out the most compatible donor blood for transfusion.
What does a blood group and crossmatch (donor name) lab test measure?
A blood group and crossmatch (donor name) lab test confirms an individual’s blood type and looks for any harmful interactions between the recipient and donor blood. A crossmatch comprises of a blood group antibody screen to establish the person’s blood group and identify any possible antibodies that may be present in their blood.
Are there any risks associated with this test?
The risks of a blood test are minimal; however, some people may experience excessive bleeding, bleeding under the skin, infection at the injection site, and fainting or feeling lightheaded.
How should I prepare for this test?
This test does not require any special preparation.
Can I get this test done during pregnancy?
This test is safe to be done during pregnancy.
What is crossmatching?
Cross matching is a test performed before a blood transfusion as part of blood compatibility testing. Normally, this involves adding the recipient's blood plasma to a sample of the donor's red blood cells.
What is the rarest blood type?
AB negative is the rarest blood type.
If your crossmatch comes back positive, it means that antibodies were found in your blood. These antibodies can make the donor blood incompatible with your blood type.
If your crossmatch finds no antibodies, it means that there is a very low possibility that the donor blood will be incompatible with your blood type.
A blood group and crossmatch (donor name) lab test is done in order to:
- Ensure that the blood transfusion will not harm the recipient,
- Find out if you are Rh-positive or Rh-negative during pregnancy,
- Ensure a safe blood transfusion before a major surgery,
- Avoid organ rejection before an organ transplant,
- For the safe treatment of a bleeding disorder,
- Find out the most compatible donor blood for transfusion.