Blood Cross Matching

Blood cross matching should be done prior to any second or subsequent transfusion and whenever blood typing of donor and recipient is not available.

While blood typing tells which type of antigens are on a red cell, blood cross matching detects the donor and recipient antibody compatibility or incompatibility. These antibodies can be directed against known or unknown antigens. The major cross match tests the recipient plasma against the donor cells, while the minor cross match tests the donor plasma against the recipient cells. If there is agglutination, then the two individuals are incompatible. Some of the incompatibilities are subtle and require special studies and expertise to recognize and resolve. Please contact us at (215) 898-3375 before sending a sample for cross match so that we can be aware of any special considerations.