500 ml
Stored for up to 35 days in CPDA-1 (not Adsol).
We generally have some units of whole blood available of each blood group, but we cannot always have enough of every type. Must give ABO group identical. See Compatible Blood Groups For Transfusion. If whole blood is not available to fulfill a request, components must be used. Whole blood is virtually never available from outside blood centers (e.g. you can't just call up and order some). If the clinician asks for "reconstituted whole blood" instead, be very wary of OK'ing this. In addition to being more work, the recipient is exposed to 2 donor units. Only use reconstituted whole blood if you're convinced both the RBCs and plasma are needed.
Possible uses: heavy bleeding, where clotting factors are also needed ( e.g., trauma), burn service, OB service where coagulopathy exists, exchange transfusion in sickle cell patients.
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