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Immunohematology

Immunohematology refers to the laboratory science of preparing blood and blood components donated by or otherwise acquired from other people for transfusion or use in other medical areas. It is often referred to as "blood banking."

In immunohematology, specialists are also skilled in selecting appropriate and compatible blood for transfusion to other individuals. Blood is typed by A, B, AB, and O, as well as whether it has an rH factor or not, and by other more minor criteria. It is also thoroughly tested for a variety of diseases before being put into the general population for diseases and also for antigens agaisnt other blood types, a rare occurrence but one that can be deadly for a donee.

Some people going in for surgery elect to not completely trust immunohematology; there have been extremely rare but news-making cases of blood slipping through immunohematology testing that is infected with HIV, hepatitis, or other bloodborne disease. Instead of accepting blood from a general bank, they instead bank their own blood, and direct physicians to use that blood to give transfusions during their surgery.

Web Resources On Immunohematology

Immunohematology - Antigens and Antibodies
Immunohematology Journal

Book Resources On Immunohematology

Immunohematology: Principles and Practice by Eva D. Quinley
Essentials of Immunohematology by John C. Flynn

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