As I have inherited the processes in Bloodbank, our standard of practice includes the same criteria for platelet transfusion as rbc transfusion... we perform a new type & screen every 72 hours. In my opinion, this is over-kill. However, in order to change my procedure, I need documentation. Can anyone point me in the right direction to pinpoint the exact location in the AABB Technical Manual that specifically states the requirements for pre-transfusion testing when the patient is only getting platelets? Also, any input on what everyone else is doing would be ever so helpful. Same thing for FFP... Thanks.
Thanks for your post. The main problem I'm running into is with reoccuring out-patients... Some come twice weekly, thus allowing us to "stretch" the use of the same band for a week, but some only come once a week. On those, we are performing a type & screen every week. I have heard of some facilities who only use historical data, but how do you determine how long that "historical data" should be used???