[Pneumatic tube system]

Does anyone have a good method for validating a pneumatic tube system for blood transfer?  We only use ours to send units to the OR.  I have heard that this may need to be validated.  Any advice??

Thanks

Michelle

[RHIG for pt receiving O pos RBC's]

I would like to know what most facilities do regarding the transfusion of O positive RBC's to O negative female patient's <50yrs in emergent situations.  Do you routinely give RHIG in this situation?  We have recently changed our policy and I would like to know how others handle this

[Removing serum from cells]

At our facility we use EDTA plasma. We do not separate the tubes, except for the case where the Type and Screen is done up to 3 weeks before patients surgery. We then separate and freeze plasma in case we need to add on a crossmatch.

[Pre-Op Type/Screens and Crossmatches]

At our facility we will do Type and Screens up to 3 weeks prior to surgery, if they have not been pregnant or transfused within 3 months. We perform the testing the day the sample is obtained. We then freeze the plasma. This way the plasma is available if the need should arise for a crossmatch the day of surgery. We do not use a separate Blood Bank armband so we do not have to deal with that aspect anymore.