What are the most common transfusion medicine tests that are requested?

The most common transfusion medicine tests that are requested are crossmatch and type and screen. These tests are essential in ensuring the compatibility of blood products with a patient's blood prior to a transfusion.

Type and screen involves determining a patient's blood type and screening for any antibodies that may react with the donor blood. This step is crucial in identifying potential compatibility issues that could lead to adverse reactions during transfusion.

Crossmatching goes a step further by mixing a small sample of the patient's serum with a sample of the donor's red blood cells to check for any incompatibility. This practice helps to confirm that the patient's immune system is unlikely to react against the transfused blood, thereby maximizing the safety and effectiveness of the transfusion.

In contrast, the other options listed are important tests in various contexts but are not specifically related to transfusion medicine. For example, complete blood counts and metabolic panels are routine tests used for overall health assessment but do not focus on blood compatibility for transfusions. Glucose and electrolyte levels are vital for monitoring metabolic status and homeostasis but again do not pertain directly to blood transfusion compatibility. Hematocrit and hemoglobin tests provide information about the patient's blood volume and oxygen-carrying capacity but do not assess transfusion