Use of anti-D in an accident and emergency department.

A retrospective study was made of the use of anti-D in an accident and emergency (A&E) department in 1 month. Patients who are discharged home with a diagnosis of threatened miscarriage should have their blood group determined and anti-D should be given to those who are rhesus negative. We found that only 8/29 patients discharged from the department had their blood group determined and none of the rhesus negative patients was given anti-D. We have introduced a practical method of reminding medical staff to give anti-D to patients who require it.