[Free Blood Banking Information System]

How do you know if ANY data (even in your own lab) are really true? At some point, one must just do business in good faith knowing that people make mistakes.

[Free Blood Banking Information System]

Cliff, I know what you mean. It would not be a difficult database to design--the biggest issue is patient ID amongst all the different providers without using SS#. Is there anyone on this site using the Kansas City antibody database that could jump in here?

[Siemens Vista 1500/Centaur vs. Abbott Architect ci8200]

I have used the Ci8200 at two institutions and really like it. The two issues I have with it are: 1. You cannot add reagents while instrument is running, and 2. the sample probe is VERY sensitive to fibrin, but if you use plasma, this is resolved.

[Free Blood Banking Information System]

Maybe a better project is to develop a database for patients with blood bank antibody or problems. This could be web based with an open source software.

[Daily Review of BB testing]

In my previous life as a lab manager, I reviewed daily. Takes less time from your day if done every day.

[Culturing units from possible transfusion reactions?]

Our procedure states to do blood culture, no gram stain, for the following symptoms: fever (defined as >2.0F rise), chill, and shaking chills. On occasion, the pathologist will request one for other symptoms.

[Labeling blood pulled into syringes at bedside for transfusion]

"In my experience anesthesiologists can be amoung the most difficult to deal with." By far the hardest to deal with--in fact they will bluntly state that we will never know what goes on in surgery.

[Name edits causing issue with labeling.]

What is the reason for entering the middle initial at a later time than the registration? Remember, by your own admission, two identifiers match--that is the national standard. Discuss the situation with registration and try to come to some arrangement about the middle initial, then have both departments adjust the SOP's to match what is decided to do. Personally, I would be very mad (and probably would not let them do it) if someone tried to redraw me because my middle initial was added to the paperwork.

[A Blood Bank Rabbit in King Chemistrys Court]

According to the CLIA, CMS, AABB regs, the "Director" signature that they are looking for is the "Director" listed on your CLIA and/or state certificate. One place I worked had that happen several years ago when we had part-time pathologist (lab and blood bank director) and the medical staff appointed a hematologist/oncologist as Blood Bank Medical Director to oversee the clinical aspects of blood bank/transfusion service.

[Mystery clotting]

Donor101, ditto on our thanks and appreciation for all your donations!! Cliff's explaination is spot on. Take a vacation (from donating) and we hope you return again in a year. THAKS.

[Dispensing of blood and blood products]

Any nursing personnel which includes ward clerk and nursing aide--but have to have been trained.

[HCLL transfusion tags]

Although we do not have HCLL, we print our "Tag" on label and put the label on the unit. We started with Meditech years ago and now do the same with SoftBank. Have seen this work at at least 4 other hospitals.

[IS crossmatch using warmed plasma?]

You are at risk of being cited because the tech is not following the procedure as written.

[Use of CPT Code 86885]

That leaves autocontrol and other antigen types that are AHG tests.

[Use of CPT Code 86885]

I don't do the CPT codes in my current position, but previouly I used this for tube antibody screen (for each cell), autocontrol, tube AHG xmatch, tube ID panel (each cell). What code do you use for gel for these--is/are there specific codes for gel?

[Record retention on deceased patients with antibodies]

In the US specifically New York State, the workup sheets are considered as worksheets and can be destroyed (depending on your state) in as little as 1 year. Blood Bankers tend to keep them for the reaction patterns, but every inspector I ever had stated that these are worksheets and can be destroyed in the timeframe of a worksheet. David Salkin, you inspect blood banks, can you comment?

[RhIG ordering]

Seperate order unless the RhIG order says "Give RhIG if indicated."

[D-Dimer Calculated Values]

By virtue that your controls "work" for the D-dimer test is a check of the calculation as well as the reagent and instrument.

[Bench mark for number or % of recalls/lookbacks from blood suppliers for use in Supplier Qualifications.]

Why not just move forward and state in your P&P that as long as the lookbacks and recalls do not increase by more than 5% from previous year, then you consider them OK. If they increase more than that 5%, then you will discuss the situation with the supplier and make future decisions accordingly.

[Fetal Bleed Screening Test collection time limit]

We do same as David, also.

[Newly promoted, overwhelmed.]

David & Doglover have given you great advice, the only thing I would add is: Do not look at everthing that needs to be done, it will overwehlm you. Break it down into managable segments so you do not get discourged. Remember that the paperwork is never done--so don't try to get it all done today.

[Rh Enigma.]

Cut the hair--brush cuts are great in the summer!

[CBC differentials: reporting % vs Absolutes]

We report both but all decisions for manual diff are absolute count based.

[ASCP certification]

Our hospital now pays $300 per year bonus for national certification. Several years ago we were in same situation as cindym, but now our state has licensure and the hospital pays for national certification.

[Urine Cultures]

I have rarely seen a contaminant at >100,000 on a specimen that was stored/plated within reasonable time