Australian Red Cross Blood Service

Washing of red cells removes unwanted plasma proteins, including antibodies. There will be some loss of red cells.

When should I use this modification?

This is given to patients who require red cells with a low protein supernatant.

The following groups of patients should receive washed components:

• patients with reactions to transfused plasma proteins (eg, IgA deficiency)

• patients with severe allergic reactions of unknown cause

• patients with severe reactions despite leucocyte depletion

• patients with paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria who experience reactions despite group-specific leucocyte depleted fresh red cells

• rarely, patients with T-activation when units from donors with low anti-T titres are not available or severe autoimmune haemolytic anaemia where excess complement may worsen destruction.