Males and females without childbearing potential can receive O Rh-positive red cells. O-negative red cell units are in chronic short supply, in some part due to over utilization for patients who are not O-negative. To ensure O-negative red cells are available for patients who truly need them, their use should be restricted to: (1) patients who are O-Rh-negative; (2) patients with unknown blood group requiring emergent transfusion who are female and of child-bearing age. Type specific red cells should be administered as soon as possible in all emergency situations.
Sources:
British Committee for Standards in Haematology, et al. Guidelines on the management of massive blood loss. Br J Haematol. 2006 Dec;135(5):634-41. PMID: 17107347.
Medical Officer’s National Blood Transfusion Committee (UK). The appropriate use of group O RhD negative red cells. Manchester (UK): National Health Service; 2008.
United Blood Services. A New Standard of Transfusion Care: Appropriate use of O-negative red blood cells [Internet]. [Cited 2017 May 5].