[AABB 5.15.4 (European input welcome)]

Agreed. Here's some new rules, now follow them. No guidance. At least they aren't asking for validation when you come up with your policy. That will come next.

[AABB 5.15.4 (European input welcome)]

17 hours ago, Carrie Easley said:

I don't have any specifics on how much is too much...only that we switch to type-compatible as soon as we possibly can.  Are you already using Type A liquid plasma? 

Since we are a VA and are a "small" transfusion service it is not in our best interest to purchase Type A liquid plasma. Our policy is to get a specimen immediately so those suggestions above don't help. I'm specifically looking to see if anyone had any research on what volume is acceptable. Honestly, it looks like everyone is just going to have to figure it out themselves.

[AABB 5.15.4 (European input welcome)]

2 minutes ago, Carrie Easley said:

I sent you some info

Could you share it here?

[AABB 5.15.4 (European input welcome)]

I'm going to go for the high end. Over a 24 hour period. They really should not be so vague. If you're going to write a standard make it detailed. It makes writing policy easier.

[AABB 5.15.4 (European input welcome)]

Yes, but what facility has the volume of AB plasma for a MTP? What happens when you have an AB patient, run our of AB plasma? You go to A. My question is still "what is a significant amount"?

[CAP TRM.30450]

It is my understanding that they are moving in the direction of lot to lot testing. This is to ease you into it. Basically if your SOP now states that new lots of reagent have appropriate QC results before being put into use, that should cover it. BUT, we do lot parallel testing on all new lots of reagents that are not diluents or enhancement media. Just to cover ourselves.

[AABB 5.15.4 (European input welcome)]

AABB has updated standard 5.15.4 to include wording for "shall have a policy concerning transfusion of significant volumes of plasma containing incompatible ABO antibodies"...

I am looking for some information on A. significant, B. really just concerned about plasma during times of massive transfusion (the AB plasma shortage is real)

[Blood Warmer Validation]

We have purchsed GE enFlow blood/fluid warmers.  I have no idea how to validate them.  Any ideas are welcome.

[0.8% screening cells]

Of course they say they have had no complaints. I know this is not true do to the ongoing dialog among the other blood bank supervisors in the VA system.

[0.8% screening cells]

We use 0.8% Ortho screening cells for our gel method but over the last few months have noticed that the screening cells are degrading faster. They are out, in use, most of the day and on off shifts are kept in the refrigerator except when in use. There is apparently no other maker for 0.8% screening cells so does anyone have any suggestions about how to stop this degradation? We will probably have to start pouring off aliquots for daily use. No we will not be making up 0.8% from a 3-4% screening cells, sorry too many contamination issues.

[Infrared thermometer]

We just got the SP Traceable. We got 2 of them so when one is out for calibration we have a back up. FYI, I have found that the temperature is best taken with the probe attached and a bag of blood folded around it. Simply wait for the temp. to level off and there you go.

[Cold agglutinin/DAT]

Malcolm,

We have done a screen using pre-warmed plasma, cells, anti-IgG cards, anti-IgG reagent, C3D reagent, all nicely warmed first then mixed and warmed again. All turn out negative. Early AM today he got 2 units of blood with a blood warmer with no complications. Both the C3b/C3D and anti-IgG were positive at RT but negative pre-warmed.

I just wanted to hear that a pre-warmed DAT is OK to do.

Thank You

[Cold agglutinin/DAT]

We have a patient presenting with a CA, his titer is very high and he has a paraproteinemia issue also. He has never been transfused. Everything is positive or negative depending on what he is showing. By this I mean that he is A Pos but unless pre-warmed his back type is negative. His DAT is 3+ positive on a fresh specimen but his pre-warmed DAT is negative. Is it appropriate to report a pre-warmed DAT? We don't have a procedure for it but I can quickly write one if needed, as long as I know that it's kosher to do this.

Thanks

[New AABB standard 1.5]

Can anyone help me with a procedure for this new standard? Communication of Concern, 1.5. We have always been able to skim by, stating that since we are a federal hospital the NO FEAR act applies to us and the whole whistblower safety thing that is in our safety fair. But I don't believe that is going to work this time. Our CAP/AABB inspection is fast approaching and I would like to get a procedure in the books.

Thanks

Heather

[Sickle Cell tx procedure]

Would anyone be willing to send me their procedure on transfusing sickle cell patients? We are a VA hospital and the likelyhood of us ever getting a sickle cell patient is almost 0% but since we are CAP and AABB we really do need to have a procedure. We've always been able to get away without it but it is usually questioned. It would just be easier to have a procedure than have to explain the US Military policy on not accepting people with sickle.

Thanks

Heather

[Hello from NY]

Hi, my name is Heather. I am a generalist at Stratton VAMC in Albany NY. My preference is blood bank and hematology and hopefully as soon as the VA unfreezes our open positions I will be able to move into blood bank full time. I have been lurking for a few months and have found this website very educational.