[Platelet products out of blood bank]

My concern is focused on temperature rather than time. 23rd edition to Standards say the maximum time without agitation for platelets is 24 hours. During transportation they must remain as close as possible to 20-24C.

Your Medical Director could make a decision if they are returned beyond the time limit. Making sure they were kept at required temperature range is just as important. (Not accidently placed in the RBC cooler).

I have seen a one hour time limit used in many hospitals.

[Infrared Thermometer Validation]

Many years ago we looked into IR thermometers but found the manufacturers insert promised a reading accuracy of +/- 2 degrees C of the actual temperature. Therefore, we did not buy them.

[Calling any SBB's]

I took the exam and passed in December 2006. I recommend purchase on the AABB website...Transfusion Medicine Self Assesment and Review. It presents scenarios which require that you put together lots of information to come up with the best answer. This is how you will be tested on the exam so it gives you good practice.

I highly recommend attendance at the SBB Last Chance Review sponsored by the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center in Houston, Texas. They offered it in February of that year; It was an extremely good outline of what you needed to know to pass the exam. Of course, have your own copy of the current Technical Manual and AABB Standards. Daniel's Human Blood Groups is a great book to memorize as well.

Best of Luck.

[Lyme Disease in Donors]

The 15th edition of the Tech Manual states on page 696...

Potential donors who give a history of Lyme disease should be completely asymptomatic and should have completed a full course of antibiotic therapy before they are permitted to donate.

However, the 16th edition of Tech Manual is now available.

[Fresh RBCs low K+ vs same unit to decrease donor exposure]

We put donor exposure on top of the list by using the same unit. Premies would often "share" a unit.

We used 5 days old or fresher whenever possible. 7 days old was the maximum if my memory is correct. Our Medical Director preferred CPDA-1 as opposed to Adsol's diruetic properties.

[blood bank refrigerator]

Another vote for a 2 door Helmer!

[Wanted SBB Exam Review Materials]

I highly recommend attending the SBB Last Chance Review offered by Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center Education and Training Department in Houston Texas. Their review is excellent.

In 2006, it was a 2 day event during a February weekend. It was extremely helpful. GOOD LUCK!

[Medion Reagents]

Medion's Data-Cyte Plus panel is 3 + 1 %.

[Medion Reagents]

We use Medion 11 cell panel, Data-Cyte Plus and the price is cheaper than the Immucor 10 cell panel.

The Medion vials are large in size... 4 mls each! They have wider notches on their caps for easy opening. Medion cells perform just as well as their competitors.

But....They only put out a panel once a month and they do not always have a cellano negative cell available. (They usually do have a Kpa positive cell.)

I like them very much! Give them a try.

[Digitizing the panel book]

I believe Medion used to be Dade Behring.

[Digitizing the panel book]

I have used Antigen Plus as well.

It is very helpful but I understand that it is costly.