National Guidance for the Management of Red Blood Cell Inventory

Group O RhD negative red blood cells (RBC) have traditionally been used for all emergency transfusions, despite providing no additional safety benefit to most emergency transfusion recipients. Whilst only 6.5% of the Australian population are group O RhD negative, group O RhD negative RBC has represented as high as 17% of total RBC issued to Australian health providers.

This guidance complements the National Statement for the Emergency Use of Group O Red Blood Cells. It supports Australian Health Providers (AHPs) to implement the National Statement and reduce the national burden on group O RhD negative red blood cells.