Occasionally, a baby will need a top-up blood transfusion after discharge from NICU or PIN. These procedures are elective, and the decision will usually be made by the specialist.

1. Discuss the timing of admission with the Clinical Charge Nurse.
2. Arrange for blood to be available
   • Up to 4 months of age, it is not necessary to give blood bank a new specimen, provided they have had a sample from the mother at birth.
   • If there is no maternal sample, or if over 4 months of age, a sample for cross match should be taken from the baby. If feasible, have this done before the baby is admitted.
3. The baby is admitted to a side room on NICU as a day case. Admissions should be arranged so that the transfusion is completed during the day.
4. Babies who are unwell and/or have possible infections are not to be readmitted to NICU. If such a baby needs a top-up transfusion, this should be arranged with Starship.