teskridge

So can anyone share with me how you are doing QC on cell panels, WARM and REST kits, and eluate kits? Do these tests need IQCP?

I must not be understanding the question...what has the buffer cards and performing the IS crossmatch in gel got to do with detecting Anti-Kell?

I work at 3 different institutions. 2 of them don't allow reissue of a red cell unit that has been outside of the blood bank longer than 30 minutes. The 3rd facility will reissue a red cell unit as long as it does not hang over 4 hours...but it can not be released and placed back into inventory and the bag can not be entered..so if it's been spiked it would get discarded.

Yes, we use the buffer cards on our ProVues. McLeod Regional Medical Center in Florence, SC

Thanks so much for your help. I'm still debating if qc'ing the expired panel cells is even necessary. We have never done this and have never been questioned about it from an inspector

Do you make a 3% suspension from your 0.8% panel cell to test with the antisera? I guess I wasn't very clear with my question...sorry.

Can someone tell me how you QC a 0.8% expired panel cell that you are using on a select panel for rule-outs?

We do not place temperature indicators on our units sent via pneumatic tube, unless we know that the blood may not be given in a timely manner (i.e., multiple units tubed to the OR). When we validated our tube system, temperature limits were maintained appropriately.

Is it necessary for a transfusion service to place confirmation labels on red cell units after ABO/Rh confirmation testing has been performed? If you have a computer system in which you can show the testing was done, is that sufficient? Not having to put labels on units would be a time-saver for us.

Sorry, Stephanie...I don't think I've been very clear..I even confused myself, so I called CAP. I was told that a thermometer should be somewhere in the refrigerator (whether it is the sensor probe bottle, or the daily thermometer bottle) that has an amount of liquid in it that is equal to the least amount of product you would place in the refrigerator. Example: 20 mls of RBCs in a syringe.....then you would need a thermometer in 20 mls of liquid (10% glycerol) to mimic that volume.

Thanks. Another question.....what kind of thermometer setup do you use to check your daily temperature of your blood storage refrigerator?

How much solution is in your bottle? Are you using the NIST certified thermometer bottles that you can buy? Thanks for your help.

"The temperature sensor probe should be in liquid ...and a volume similiar to the smallest unit stored." What are facilities doing for syringes being stored? Thanks.

Thank you so much!! My reps from Immucor/Gamma and Ortho couldn't seem to find anything demonstrating tube reactions. My address is: McLeod Regional Medical Center Attention: Blood Bank Laboratory 555 East Cheves Street Florence, SC 29506

Does anyone know where I can find a good wall chart of the reaction grading for tube agglutination? I used to have one and when our lab was renovated, it disappeared. I want it for teaching purposes. Thanks in advance.