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Status Replies posted by ltechlin
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I saw a comment that you used HCLL. We are starting a upgrade project next week and there are some changes I would like to make. How do you document patient history check when receiving a new sample or order? Is there a way you can do it in the patient module? Or do you have it as another test bar? We are still using paper and I'm so ready to be done with that. Any other advice you have would be appreciated. This is my first blood bank supervisor job and I'm eight months in!
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Sorry Elizabeth, I don't sign on to pathlabtalk as often as I should and just saw your message.
I have to admit that we may get dinged by an inspector one day on documenting patient history check. Until 2 years ago, we used a "patient card" to document reactions and then entered everything into HCLL when all of our testing was done. This card had a spot to either put an X or the year we last did testing on the patient. This was our documentation of history check. The card was a crutch and staff was reluctant to give it up. Two years ago we went semi-paperless and only used the cards for complex patients... anyone with an antibody, discrepancy, antibody crossmatch, DAT, antigen typings, etc. A few months back, we dropped using the cards for everyone except the most complex patients, DATs and antigen typings. We don't document patient history check in HCLL, but it is written in policy that it is done. We train that the first time a tech holds a particular patient's tube in their hand that they must search for history. We also have that as a bullet point of something we watch for when doing our direct observation competency annually.
All that being said, we have been through two Joint Commission and one FDA inspection since we stopped documenting history search on every patient and haven't had it mentioned... yet. I have considered having the techs add a comment when they check in the specimen, but you know they won't put it on every time and I hate policing something that is often going to be forgotten.
Myself, I am blood bank coordinator. There is a lab manager that oversees blood bank as well as chem and histo. We have a good working relationship and she pretty much will go with whatever I and our two unofficial lead techs advise. I was a supervisor over our chemistry department back in the day, but got out when I was tired of the HR end of things as well as the hospital politics. I am much happier having a hand in the department at the coordinator level without the other luggage that comes along with being a manager. Good luck with your supervisor position!
Do you use electronic crossmatch on HCLL? We were going through the validation process, but our tech that does the validating wasn't happy with an item and we have tabled it for now. Mediware tells her they are aware of the problem but there is no fix at this time. Makes me sad.
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