David Saikin

I expect that you will see an increase in your knowledge base. No matter how busy a BB you work in, you may not get the minutiae you need to pass the SBB. Good luck.

We do not routinely transfuse neonates (have not done one here in 30 or so years). We would give the freshest O= we have; irradiated if we have one. We are 3 hrs from our blood supplier. Chances are the infant will be transfused before we could receive appropriate products.

Thanks for that info. We have ordered one of these.

Hi All I know I've seen a post here about an infrared thermometer that you can lay a unit of blood on for a temp if/when returned. If that info could be provided I'd be most appreciative. Thanks!

The only thing I am aware of is the collection of low volume units. 300-404mL WB collections with anticoagulant not adjusted - you can use the rbcs but no other components can be prepared. There are also low volume collections for autologous, where you may adjust the volume of anticoagulant based on the donor's weight. There is no defining statute regarding minimal volumes for transfusables that I am know of.

When my supplier has a dearth of O Negs, if I get an O Neg patient who looks like they may be a big user, I contact the Medical Director. I also talk w the provider. Depending on my inventory I may ask to immediately switch to Rh+ units. We only stock 6u (overstock hosp); we have to have 2 for females of child bearing potential. A big user can totally deplete all my O's.

Anyone started using CorQc lot28222? I'm getting weaker than usual rxs with A1 cell. thanks ahead of time.

We only type for the specific antigen but we do perform an Rh phenotype when we find a clinically significant antibody. I used to have all the relevant antisera but, as was defined so succinctly by Malcolm's bean counters, it was too expensive.

You can decide how long you want to keep units in crossmatched status. This is probably dependent on the validity of your specimen. There is no reason you can't release after 24 hrs.

I had a patient who had anti-K. He was transfused fairly regularly (2-4u/month) for years. Always K neg rbcs. Always had a +DAT. Only anti-K in the eluate.

I've experienced remote alarms that were monitored by facilities crew. Even though the lab was 24/7. Facilities even did the alarm checks. Seemed to work pretty well though I had to tweak that system while I was their temp manager. Alarm probe in freezer in the air - they wanted it to be sensitive, well it was. The chart looked like a supernova explosion. I told the medical director if I was inspecting they would be tossing everything out. Once we put the probe in 50% glycerol the system worked pretty well. I still did weekly checks on the documented temps for both refriges and freezer. Otherwise, I agree, if you are 24/7 there is no need for a remote alarm.

How can you prove anyone did anything? Unless you watch. Inspectors cannot impune your work is bogus based on your process, unless something seems amiss. I would immediately contact their regulatory agency and ask for the official stance on such and/or a replacement inspector.

I've never heard of that practice though I understand the concept.

My audits are on line and remain available indefinitely. I'm assuming you are auditing your transfusions.

We have the same for MTP and Emergent Release (we use 50 as the cutoff age). For routine transfusions we still require Path approval.