JOE
Momo, don't laugh at me, but I have a patient and I want
blood ready for the surgery, but might not need it. Should I
"type and screen" or "type and crossmatch"?
MICHELLE
Depends how fast you would need it. If you want it
sitting outside the OR to give at a minute's notice,
type and cross. If you will unlikely need it immediately
and have 30 minutes lead time once you think
you might want to transfuse, type and screen.
MICHELLE
Crossmatch involves an additional step, typing the
unit of donor blood against the patient's blood.
JOE
Type and cross dress? Ever done that?
MICHELLE
Yes, that's where the blood bank put the unit
in a dress and heels.
For my own vanity I will leave out the countless occasions that I texted Joe in the middle of the day asking him ridiculously simplistic questions about the human eye as it pertains to my scope of practice (that is to say: mostly corneal abrasions, and when it is OK to use nitrous after a scleral buckle). We are like a built in free consult service for each other. Marriage!