David Thomas

Recently we have had several discussions with nurses regarding acceptable specimen labeling requirements. They have sent us specimens for blood bank with the top quarter or so of the name chopped off, the label printer must have been misaligned. The names are really pretty much readable and there is no problem reading the medical record number. Other departments routinely accept these specimens but up until now blood bank has been able to reject them. But now lab admininstration is being pressued into accepting these specs. We require two independent identifiers, name and MR #. What are thoughts on this, do other institutions accept labels with top part of name chopped off?

Carol, Thanks for the information. I have looked over the Biotest rare anti-sera package inserts and I am going to try the anti-S out. The smaller volume size and of course the lower price that goes with it looks like it could fit our application here well. Thanks, David

Hello, Has anyone had experience with using the anti-S polyclonal reagent manufactured by Hemo bioscience. I am at a smaller hospital and looking to lower my reagent costs. Hemo bioscience offers polyclonal antisera for S,s,K,k, M, and Fya . The price for anti-S is much lower then Ortho or Immucor. I would be interested in any feedback from folks who are now using this anti-S reagent. Thanks, David Thomas

Kate, Thanks. Have not had any cords that were not confirmed in the last year. Based on the replies I am going to drop it. thanks much, David

Hey Thanks much for this info Mabel, Base on the replies I am going to drop the confirm on the cords. I will e-mail the address you listed just for my own info. thanks again, David

Thanks Mary, On the basis of the replies we are going to drop it. thanks much, David

Hello, As part of our current Retype/Confirm policy we do the following. If a newborn's cord blood specimen front types the same ABO and Rh as the mother than a heel-stick confirm ABO/Rh type is redrawn and tested on the baby to ensure that the cord blood ABO/Rh type is in fact the baby's. Our pathologist is asking about this and would like to know if there is any literature out there which supports us doing this heel-stick confirm on the baby. Any references that supports this policy would be appreciated. Thanks, David