[Expired Panels]

We save expired panels for select cell testing. Any suggestions on how to QC these reagent red cells when used? The AABB says each laboratory should establish their own SOP.

[Urgent Cooler Question]

We did an extensive search for approved coolers to meet the AABB requirement that the cooler is a storage device. Thermosafe was the only mfg. that has a FDA clearance on their cooler.

[Prophylactic antigen typing]

Hi Monique

St Lukes and Roosevelt hospital antigen screen for all thier Sicklers and Thal patients. At Beth Israel it's not done unless needed. My problem is that I am responsible for 5 site and standardizing practice. Have you tried explaining this to a Medical Director. Bonnie

[Maximum Surgical Blood Order Schedule]

We let the chairmen of the department make the final decision. Attached is our latest revision.

MSBOS-1.doc

[Second ABO/Rh tests prior to transfusion]

There must be 2 ABORh types from different samples on all patients requiring a transfusion. The only exceptions are patient who type as O (+ or -) or if they are in the OR. The blood bank calls the floor for the second sample. We will not accepted 2 samples received in the BB at the same time as 2 separate samples. This policy has been in effect for some time in the largest site and has prevent many errors especially from July to Oct when all the new "kids" arrive.

When we retest the second sample we have the option of having a different name for the test and it does not charge the patient.

[Need New procedure for Emergency Release]

I don't mind attaching it. I keep getting an error message not sure what iam doing wrong. This is the error message I get:

Upload Error: Could not upload Attachment to ./files/bb-0013.00_emergency_blood_component_release.doc.

I'll send to your email address separatley and you can post it if you like.

[New Computer System Validation]

We are in the process of installing a new LIS for all our sites. It will be the first time we are all on the same page. Fortunately we are working with a company who has done many installations and are providing a tremendous amount of support in the clincal lab areas but can not in the BB and Donor room since the FDA requires independent validation separate from the vendor. We are using Validation Partners for data conversion and validation assistance. There are many publications on the subject but it still boils down to how and where do I start. In August ISBT published a supplement with Vox Sanguininis "ISBT - Guidelines for Validation and Maintaining the Validation State of Automated Systems in Blood Banking". How much validation is required is a difficult question - it depends on how critical the process your are trying to validate is.

Good luck

[Need New procedure for Emergency Release]

I would be more than happy to share our SOP. It is based on having at least 4 O+ and 4 Oneg pre-labeled and ready to go. We use it not only for true emergencies but also when we can not get a second sample to confirm a blood type on a new patient. Our strict 2 sample policy has prevented several errors this past year alone. Hope it is useful.

I am having difficulty adding an attachment to this reply. If you send me an email address I will send separately.

[Training Checklist]

I am currently working on revising the checklist for the lab and will be glad to share it with you when completed. What computer system are you using? We have a separate checklist for the Cerner classic system.