ABQ bloodbanker

I have used quite a few of the systems: Sunquest - not very good - not logical for a bloodbanker's mind... eProgesa - the donor side only - not too bad SafeTrace (or Horizon Blood Bank) - very cumbersome, but has good features. No QC module to speak of and the reports are terrible though HCLL - not too bad - easy to learn Meditech - Loved the older version - haven't had the opportunity to use the window's based one. HemoCare - basically good for a DOS system - no longer supported. I think they are all better than doing everything on paper though:)

We QC our antibody panels before use with a diluted anti-D and just confirm that all cells that should react do and those that should not react don't. Once the panel expires and we use it for selected cells, I require a positive cell to be run to ensure the cells are still reacting. I figure if the entire panel is being stored the same, and one antibody reacts, they all should... Not the perfect system, but there is no way to test everything...

I would do a prewarmed XM for a cold or clin insign cold.....

In regards to perfoming both an IS and GEL XM, I built a new XM test in our computer that has both reactions and only one interpretation, and it crosses the interface only once and bills for only the GEL XM. Still haven't gone live with it yet, but reading all of the responses, I reckon we will soon....

That's what we do too! Of course, I learned from the best! PS. Hi Lu!!

Once per admission and we verify the consent when we perform audits. The nursing dept is responsible for making sure every patient receiving blood has the consent form signed. We do require a physician's order "to transfuse" before we issue though.

Howdy Blood Bankers! I am wondering what everyone is doing regarding the CLIA regulation change that happened last Sept, saying that IgG gel crossmatches do not detect IgM antibodies (i.e. anti-A or anti- and that you must also perform an Immediate spin XM, electronic XM in addition to performing the gel XM. This has just come up in our laboratory, and before we implement a change in how we perform our crossmatches for our patients with antibodies:cries:, I would like to see if there is any alternatives out there. We are currently inspected by CAP and AABB, but I'm sure the CLIA regulations are somewhere in there. I personally performed a "mini" validation of the IgG gel cards, and yes, they do detect ABO incompatibility, but I've been told that that may not be relevant. Any ideas???

I would like to remain as "BloodBank Talk", but if we have to change, I like LabTalk and then have sections: Blood Bank, Micro, Hematology, etc...

Liz, We only have one type of anti-D, and it is used for all of the above. Supposedly does not detect DIV....

We did not perform a formal correlation, but when we had known weak D's or when we do get a 1-2+ reaction, we repeat it in tubes and it is negative at IS and 3-4+ at IAT phase. We've probably seen over 20 of them in the last 2 years.... not a whole lot, but enough to add to our procedure that if you see a weak anti-D reaction in gel, call them Rh Negative...

We use both gel and tubes. Gel on the ProVue and tubes when performing any testing manually. Gel IS more sensitive than tubes, but if you know that, you will be fine. If we get a 2+ or less in gel for the D, the patient is considered Rh Negative. (Usually they are a weak/partial D when that happens). Gel does cost more and takes more time, but you can definitley see mixed field and can save the results for someone to look at later. (And that's a good thing when you have generalists in the BB!!) Denise

You are correct: it does not correlate gel to liss to peg to enzymes to Prewarmed or using adsorbed plasma. The answers would vary too much, depending on what antibody you were testing. Denise

Congrats Heather! I will be taking the exam around October.... Denise

I like it! We have McKesson too! But it does seem too logical to actually work!

I still like the "shoot the nurses" response!