Irish Blood Transfusion Service - About Blood

About Blood

The frequency of blood groups in Ireland is as follows:

O Positive 47% O Negative 8% A Positive 28% A Negative 5%
B Positive 9% B Negative 2% AB Positive 2% AB Negative 1%

It is important that the IBTS collects enough O Rh D positive blood as almost half the population are that blood type. Donors with O Rh D negative are known as universal donors. Their blood can be transfused to patients of any other blood group in an emergency or if the patient's own blood group is unavailable. Because any patient can receive O Rh D negative blood, the IBTS need to have extra O Rh D negative blood available at all times.

Read more about this topic:  Irish Blood Transfusion Service

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