Christchurch Hospital Blood Bank operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Laboratory staff issue directly to Christchurch and Christchurch Women's Hospital on receipt of Form QMR022A.
At Ashburton, The Princess Margaret and Burwood Hospitals, blood is stored in off-site blood fridges. Blood is uplifted from these fridges by trained clinical staff using completed Form QMR022A.
When blood is collected, the particulars on the compatibility label (i.e., the patient's full name, patient identification number and group) must be checked against Form QMR022A.
Blood which has not been properly labelled by Blood Bank staff as suitable for the patient in question must not be taken from the Blood Bank. The sole exception to this rule is in cases of extreme urgency occurring outside laboratory hours when on the direct order of a senior medical officer, Group O Rhesus negative blood labelled specifically for emergency use, which has not expressly been labelled as suitable for the patient in question, may be issued. In such cases (which should be rare) the Blood Bank must be informed.