59MDWI44-107 — Blood Products

59MDWI44-107 governs blood product policies, procedures, and responsibilities for limited transfusion services at Wilford Hall.

Search 59MDWI44-107

  • Publication number: 59MDWI44-107
  • Title: BLOOD PRODUCTS
  • Date: 2023-07-24

View 59MDWI44-107 on armypubs.army.mil


It covers product availability, emergency release and issue of blood, administration of blood components, transfusion reactions, and massive transfusions. It requires compliance with regulatory requirements, standards, and Current Good Manufacturing Practices.

Applies to: This instruction applies to all Military Medical Treatment Facilities (MTFs) and Clinics under the Authority, Direction, and Control of the Director, Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center, to include the 59th Medical Wing (MDW) medical staff while performing Defense Health Agency duties.

Topics covered

  • Blood product availability
  • Emergency release of blood
  • Uncrossmatched blood requests
  • Blood component administration
  • Transfusion reactions
  • Massive transfusions

Questions and answers

What blood product is available through Transfusion Services?

Allogeneic packed red blood cells (pRBC) is the only product available through Transfusion Services. (paragraph 2)

How many pRBC units are maintained for emergency release?

The Transfusion Service maintains a routine inventory of 6 pRBC units: 2 O Negative and 4 O Positive units which will be maintained for emergency release use only. (paragraph 2)

Where is emergency release blood available?

Emergency Release will be available 24/7 for the Family Emergency Center and the Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center (WHASC) Operating Room/Post-Anesthesia Care Unit surgical cases only. (paragraph 2)

What information is required when requesting emergency blood products?

The patient's full name, unique patient identification number [Department of Defense Identification (DOD ID #)] and date of birth (DOB) are required when requesting emergency blood products. (paragraph 4)

What must be collected before starting an emergency transfusion?

When a patient requires immediate transfusion with emergency-released group O pRBC, TWO properly labeled patient sample tubes drawn into PREFERABLY an Ethylene Diaminetetraacetic Acid [K2 Ethylene Diaminetetraacetic Acid (EDTA) PINK TOP] or ALTERNATELY a red top clot tube must be collected BEFORE starting the transfusion to enable the blood bank to determine the patient's ABO and Rh and perform compatibility testing. (paragraph 4)

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