[Blog - Techs DO Connect to Patients!]

Great blog, Kristen.

[ABO/Rh and Platelet, Plasma Transfusions]

Do you require 2nd blood type for transfusion of platelet, plasma on new (second) admission?  future admissions?

are there requirement/guidelines for ABO/Rh testing for platelet, plasma transfusion on future admissions?

 

We do not require a 2nd blood type.

 

Regarding the patient's first blood type:  Although we prefer to have a blood type on the patient, we will issue non-group-specific platelets and group AB plasma to the patient if necessary.

 

Once we have a historical blood type in our computer, we do not routinely request repleat ABO/Rh testing on the patient when transfusing platelets and plasma during future admissions.  (I am not aware of any requirements/regulations to do so.)

 

Donna

[Antibody ID Followup admissions]

Oh, I'm all for what David and pbaker do.  The reason we routine do a full panel on every new specimen that demonstrates a Positive antibody screen is because our laboratory staff rotate working the various lab departments.  Some of the generalists would have a little difficulty picking out the right selected cells, so it is just easier and quicker for them to throw in the entire panel (and they are more comfortable with that, so it's fine with me.)

 

Donna

[Photographs from the Retirement Party of Professor Marion Scott and Dr Geoff Daniels 25/09/15.]

Thanks for your kind words, Malcolm.  Like John above, I'll continue to "troll" and try to stay current with the field.  I've had a wonderful career (and I'm convinved that there have been guardian angels preventing me and my staff from making serious mistakes through these many years!)

 

Donna

[Photographs from the Retirement Party of Professor Marion Scott and Dr Geoff Daniels 25/09/15.]

I am "retiring" on 11/11/15 (but will probably continue to work a couple/few days a month.)  (We'll see how that goes.)

 

Donna

[Transfusion Start Time Requirement]

I agree also - a start time should be a guideline.  If you do have one it would be an interesting monitor just to see what you get.  The more important thing is that the transfusion is not more than 4 hrs. from release.

 

Same here.

[Antibody ID Followup admissions]

We do a panel on every new specimen (if the Antibody Screen is Positive.)

 

Donna

[Reaction Workup]

We do the whole nine yards.  Pathologist report is computerized. BB data is on a manual form scanned into the EMR.

 

Same here.

[Medical Director Evaluation of Transfusion Reactions]

We also use next business day if the workup is negative. If there is eveidence of a reaction, the patient's MD is notified ASAP.

 

Same here.

[Survey about your medical director]

1.  She does both.

2.  Mostly anatomic.  Spends very little time with Blood Bank duties (1% ??) 

3.  Does not review BB QC.  (I am her designee.)

4.  300 beds

5.  About 275 RBC transfusion per month

[NPAR]

The blood center that we use has an antibody registry.  Any hospital they service can enter patient antibodies found along with any other pertinent information regarding the workup.  When we receive an order in the BB, we always check our internal patient history and the blood center history.  It has been helpful many, many times.

 

Now, that's a great place to start such a registry.  I really like that idea, but we would probably be interested in only checking patients with antibody problems.  In our geographical area, there are only two blood suppliers, so it would be fairly easy to check with both of them.

 

Donna

[Anti-Cw]

Also following with interest.

[Anyone using the Vision (new Ortho analyzer)?]

It would be great if you could periodically post your progress and experiences as you go through this process, LKSchroed.  I am sure that many of us would be interested in how things with the Vision go for you.  (Thanks, in advance!)

 

Donna

[SBB]

Congratulations, Terri!

[Hello From Chicago]

Glad to have you with us, ESSAGEL!

 

Donna

[Roseburg college shooting]

Compliments to you and your staff for handling such a tragedy.  Sympathy to the family & friends of those killed and injured.  I agree....far too many of these types of episodes during the last few years.

 

Donna

[Glad to find ya'll]

Looking forward to you joining our discussions, BulldawgPath.  Welcome!

 

Donna

[Sda ?]

Boy, Dr. Pepper......those guinea pigs look really large.

[Sda ?]

As an aside, do you know that Sd^a was originally named Sid? It was named this after Sid Smith, who used to be the janitor at the Medical Research Council's Blood Group Unit, when it was in London, as he had the strongest expression of the antigen at the time it was identified.  In those days, antigens and antibodies were usually named after the first two letters of the surname of such a person, but Sm was already being used for the antigen within the Scianna Blood Group System, that is now known as Sc1, so they named it Sid!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

I love these "Oh, by the way...." stories!  Thanks!

 

Donna

[Hello]

Glad to have you with us, Amy.  Looking forward to you joining our "discussions?"

 

 

Donna

[Severe Hemolysis post transfusion]

My guess would be it was something other than the blood that was infused (inadvertently?) that caused the hemolysis, e.g., a hypotonic solution.  They may have also used something other than saline as a cold cardioplegia solution, e.g., water!  Hemolysis was a common occurrence years ago (with no transfusions) when water rather than saline was used as an irrigation solution for TURPs.

 

We have observed both of these problems that SMW has mentioned.

[Antibody Titers]

Antie-D is correct.  Also, is there a chance that your blood supplier or another hospital in the region that subscribes to a Proficiency Testing Program might give you their leftover survey specimens?  (Only after they have tested, submitted their results, and received their evaluation, of course.)

 

Donna

[Antibody Screen]

We perform a screen first (for the same reasons as SMILLER cited.)

 

Donna

[Hello!]

Glad to have you with us!

 

Donna

[transfusion reactions]

We handle it as John Staley stated (ie: have them notify the physician, and the physician decides whether to order a Transfusion Reaction Investigation.)