Importance of Life-Long Alerts in Electronic Medical Report Systems for Patients With Positive Antigen Screening

Abstract

Perioperative red blood cell transfusions are common. Antigen screening, performed via indirect Coombs test, is required prior to red blood cell transfusion. False-negative test results can lead to acute or delayed hemolytic transfusion reactions. This case report emphasizes the importance of using life-long alerts in a hospital's electronic medical record system for patients with positive antigen screening to prevent falsenegative preoperative antigen results from leading to hemolytic transfusion reactions.