mwilde

Is anyone else on BB Talk using a Sahara Plasma Thawer or have experience with these machines? They are convection heaters that rock the plasma starting @ 29C and increasing to 37C in increments. We've had electronic problems with both units and I understand that these are both replacements for the original equipment. I'm wondering whether it's worthwhile to put any more time and money into them. We have a Helmer as a backup and for TTP plasma exchange patients which is actually faster. I'd be interested in hearing any information folks might have. Thanks!

When I started working Blood Bank fulltime, the institution where I was employed used the different color index cards to match the patients' blood types for the card file! It was rather pretty when checking out histories. We couldn't get it through the secretary's head that AB's are pretty rare and we really didn't need the same number of those cards as the rest. When we got rid of the card file, we had tons of those specific cards. Now I can't remember all of the colors......O = blue, A = yellow, B = pink, and AB = white? Thanks for that memory, Malcolm!

Very nice! Of course, it was a surgeon...... Need I say more? Margaret Wilde P.S. And they wonder why they're called primadonnas?

Have anyone of you experienced MISYS (Sunquest GUI version) on automation? It hovers between GUI and the old roll-and-scroll DOS for its interfaces. I haven't experienced Cerner Millennium with automation, but it must be better than this! GUI apps are supposed to bring us into the future of the lab, but Sunquest cannot let go of the old. It's been over a year, but I understand that they had to write new software just to support ISBT-128! What are other experiencing? Margaret Wilde

In answer to Rashmi's question, AABB does a good job of updating the progress of Biovigilance. I don't know whether anyone on BBTalk is part of the early users and might give us more insight.

From what I'm reading about equipment validation and issuing blood products, some of it will be rather a pain. A lot of it is things already on our collective wishlists, so perhaps the purse strings of our administrators will be loosened also......? Margaret W.

I'm guessing that many of Great Britain's processes are driven by SHOT. If so, I believe we're seeing the future of transfusion practices in the US as our own Biovigilance program progresses. I for one have always wanted Blood Bank refrigerators that refuse blood to caregivers when problems exist, i.e. expired crossmatches/ issue times! Margaret W.

I've used this method at various places I've worked and it all seemed a lesson in futility because the predetermined result (negative) was almost always achieved. Of course, we'd do everything possible to be sure it was only an anti-M before prewarming (prewarming has created quite a controversy here in the Midwest.....). Margaret W.

This reminds me of my very first job when I was a lowly generalist and spent a good deal of time in the Blood Bank. Our process was to deliver (?!) blood products to the unit and check what the RN had hanging (NO LACTATED RINGERS!!!!) as well as provide a third check for the patient ID. They called for a unit of blood around lunch time and had a difficult time finding a second RN for the ID check. She finally found one and called to me where I was waiting patiently at the desk: "Lab Person, COME!" I was speechless for a heartbeat and then responded "Woof Woof!" She was very embarrassed and apologized profusely for her terse command. Of course she then proceeded to puncture the bag of te only P1 negative red cell we had in inventory (we still worried about those back then). Sigh! Margaret W.

How about "especially"......? Margaret W.

LOL!!! Margaret Wilde

I would love to see the page you have. Please email it to me at: mewilde1@earthlink.net and mwilde@lakelandregional.org. Thanks a bunch! Margaret Wilde

Cornelia, I would also like to see you results for the Galileo and Tango. I currently work on a Provue and would like to read more about the "competition". Please send it to me at: mewilde1@earthlink.net and mwilde@lakelandregional.org. Thanks so much! Margaret Wilde

I forgot to mention that a former BB Supervisor of mine required her employees to join the MABB (Michigan Association of Blood Banks) and developed many of her employees into future SBB's! By serving on committees for the MABB we started networking early on and learned a lot about the exciting world of Transfusion Medicine. I wonder if that would work these days.....? Margaret Wilde

I'm sure all of us have had employees who are ROJ (Retired On the Job according to a human resources person!) and others who only want to spend their 8 hours with no extra duties. For those who show a glimmer of interest and desire to learn a former BB manager of mine assigned them "Special Projects", consisting of duties that supervisors/ managers don't have time to get to such as compiling data, taking on training plans/ projects, validating procedures/ forms/ what-have-you, etc. I've borrowed that concept and used it for employees of my own. It gives that person the ability to learn and to make suggestions about improving processes and keep them interested in the job. It also helps develop them to go further in their career, be it in laboratory management, another branch of healthcare or administration. I'm always excited (and a bit sad....) when I help someone to advance their career! Margaret Wilde