Every family arranging blood meets this paper within the first hour. It has different names, requisition slip, blood issue form, indent, and one job: it is the hospital’s official order for blood. Blood banks legally cannot issue blood without it. ## What is on it - Patient details, name, age, sex, IP/registration number
- Diagnosis / reason, why blood is needed
- Blood group as known (or “group and crossmatch” if unknown)
- Component, whole blood / PRBC (red cells) / platelets / FFP (plasma) / cryoprecipitate
- Number of units
- Urgency, routine / urgent / emergency
- Doctor’s signature and registration number ## Why banks are strict about it Blood is a prescription medicine, in effect. The slip protects the patient (right group, right component, right dose) and the system (audit trail from ward to vein). A bank that issues blood on a phone call is a bank you should not trust. ## Common family mistakes, avoid these - Losing the original. Take a clear photo immediately. Many banks want the original or an official copy each time units are issued.
- Confusing “units”, 2 units means 2 bags; a “pint” is not a unit. Ask the ward to write the number clearly.
- Assuming the slip works at any bank. It works at the hospital’s own bank; outside banks have their own forms and may need the treating doctor’s endorsement.
- Waiting for “all the units at once”. Emergency issuance often happens unit by unit. Post your request from minute one. ## The pairing that works Requisition slip → blood bank counter (stock or arrangement) and a register request (donors alerted) at the same time. The slip moves the official system; the register moves the people. Families who run both together almost never get stuck. When a donor accepts, everything ends at the centre, here is how a bag travels from vein to patient. Related: find a blood donor fast · crossmatch explained · track your request