PAWHITTECAR

I have worked in Blood Bank for 20 years.  I felt comfortable fairly quickly but credit that to the techs that trained me during my clinical rotations and at my first job.  They were both BB "superwommen" and made sure I know everything inside out. 
 
That said I think how long it takes to be comfortable varies by the person... I know tech that have worked in BB nearly as long as I have and they still do not feel comfotable...
 
A very wise woman once told me that true blood bankers were not trained...they were born. 

I have worked in Blood Bank for 20 years.  I felt comfortable fairly quickly but credit that to the techs that trained me during my clinical rotations and at my first job.  They were both BB "superwommen" and made sure I know everything inside out. 
 
That said I think how long it takes to be comfortable varies by the person... I know tech that have worked in BB nearly as long as I have and they still do not feel comfotable...
 
A very wise woman once told me that true blood bankers were not trained...they were born. 

When I took over as technical supervisor this small facility was not doing any antibody work-ups at all...everything went to reference.  Our pathologist covers many small hospitals accross the state so we only see him infrequently.  I discussed this with him, along with a cost analysis of what we were paying reference and how mush it would cost to work up the "simple" ones in house.
 
The decision was made that when I was "available" I would work them up in-house and otherwise they would be sent out.  I have the techs call me if they get a positive screen and I then make the decision on sending it out or holding it for me to work-up.
 
Saved ~$25,000 in reference charges in 12 months.....
 
I do not do any elutions, absorpions or antigen typing.. I send that all out.  Only one of me and not enough time to do everything...

I have worked in Blood Bank for 20 years.  I felt comfortable fairly quickly but credit that to the techs that trained me during my clinical rotations and at my first job.  They were both BB "superwommen" and made sure I know everything inside out. 
 
That said I think how long it takes to be comfortable varies by the person... I know tech that have worked in BB nearly as long as I have and they still do not feel comfotable...
 
A very wise woman once told me that true blood bankers were not trained...they were born. 

I have worked in Blood Bank for 20 years.  I felt comfortable fairly quickly but credit that to the techs that trained me during my clinical rotations and at my first job.  They were both BB "superwommen" and made sure I know everything inside out. 
 
That said I think how long it takes to be comfortable varies by the person... I know tech that have worked in BB nearly as long as I have and they still do not feel comfotable...
 
A very wise woman once told me that true blood bankers were not trained...they were born. 

I have always trained my staff with these words, "Record what you see, not what you think it should be." In other words, proceed based on observations, not expectations.

We had a case recently where a patient came in through the ER, she gave the nurse an Antibody card for a Jka that was identified years ago in Texas. When we called to get more info we were told that the patient was not coherent and no family was available.  We did the screen (positive), and antibody Id and found a E, K (no sign of the Jka).  2 units were set up(E,K,Jka neg) and transfused.  The next day they ordered 2 more units, a nurse from the floor called to say that the patient was insisting she had another antibody card that she could not find.  I spoke to the patient and she told me she had 2 cards from different hospitals, she was also able to tell me all (or at least several) of the hospitals she had been transfused at.  I proceded to call all of them and found another hospital in Texas that had identified E, c.  We antigen typed the units she was given and 1 was c positive.  Post transfusion had a lovely c.
 
Morale of the story...Always listen to the patient....

We had a case recently where a patient came in through the ER, she gave the nurse an Antibody card for a Jka that was identified years ago in Texas. When we called to get more info we were told that the patient was not coherent and no family was available.  We did the screen (positive), and antibody Id and found a E, K (no sign of the Jka).  2 units were set up(E,K,Jka neg) and transfused.  The next day they ordered 2 more units, a nurse from the floor called to say that the patient was insisting she had another antibody card that she could not find.  I spoke to the patient and she told me she had 2 cards from different hospitals, she was also able to tell me all (or at least several) of the hospitals she had been transfused at.  I proceded to call all of them and found another hospital in Texas that had identified E, c.  We antigen typed the units she was given and 1 was c positive.  Post transfusion had a lovely c.
 
Morale of the story...Always listen to the patient....

We had a case recently where a patient came in through the ER, she gave the nurse an Antibody card for a Jka that was identified years ago in Texas. When we called to get more info we were told that the patient was not coherent and no family was available.  We did the screen (positive), and antibody Id and found a E, K (no sign of the Jka).  2 units were set up(E,K,Jka neg) and transfused.  The next day they ordered 2 more units, a nurse from the floor called to say that the patient was insisting she had another antibody card that she could not find.  I spoke to the patient and she told me she had 2 cards from different hospitals, she was also able to tell me all (or at least several) of the hospitals she had been transfused at.  I proceded to call all of them and found another hospital in Texas that had identified E, c.  We antigen typed the units she was given and 1 was c positive.  Post transfusion had a lovely c.
 
Morale of the story...Always listen to the patient....

We had a case recently where a patient came in through the ER, she gave the nurse an Antibody card for a Jka that was identified years ago in Texas. When we called to get more info we were told that the patient was not coherent and no family was available.  We did the screen (positive), and antibody Id and found a E, K (no sign of the Jka).  2 units were set up(E,K,Jka neg) and transfused.  The next day they ordered 2 more units, a nurse from the floor called to say that the patient was insisting she had another antibody card that she could not find.  I spoke to the patient and she told me she had 2 cards from different hospitals, she was also able to tell me all (or at least several) of the hospitals she had been transfused at.  I proceded to call all of them and found another hospital in Texas that had identified E, c.  We antigen typed the units she was given and 1 was c positive.  Post transfusion had a lovely c.
 
Morale of the story...Always listen to the patient....

We had a case recently where a patient came in through the ER, she gave the nurse an Antibody card for a Jka that was identified years ago in Texas. When we called to get more info we were told that the patient was not coherent and no family was available.  We did the screen (positive), and antibody Id and found a E, K (no sign of the Jka).  2 units were set up(E,K,Jka neg) and transfused.  The next day they ordered 2 more units, a nurse from the floor called to say that the patient was insisting she had another antibody card that she could not find.  I spoke to the patient and she told me she had 2 cards from different hospitals, she was also able to tell me all (or at least several) of the hospitals she had been transfused at.  I proceded to call all of them and found another hospital in Texas that had identified E, c.  We antigen typed the units she was given and 1 was c positive.  Post transfusion had a lovely c.
 
Morale of the story...Always listen to the patient....

Wow...I'm just happy if I can get my blood bank mopped at regular intervals..

Wow...I'm just happy if I can get my blood bank mopped at regular intervals..

Well, I for one am manning the fort so those with young children can spend the holiday with them...I'll get home in time to watch the fireworks...

I thoroughly agree with everything Terri has posted here, but would, also, re-quote some very wise words from Dr. Brian McClelland MD ChB ND Linden FRCP(E) FRCPath, a now retired Consultant Haematologist of the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (with a world-wide reputation) that are,
 
"Transfusion has risks, but bleeding to death is fatal."

Everwhere I have worked uses expired panels to rule out/in antibodies.  The cost of keeping enough in-date panels to work up all anitbodies would be enormous.  AABB, CAP and FDA have all inspected these sites numerous times with no problems and I do know at least once FDA was looking at antibody work-ups.

Malcolm,
We are but a small backward nation where transfusion medicine is concerned.

We treat RhIG same as John...

Malcolm,
I'm sure you would have made a fine firefighter but the world of serology would have missed out on your fine wisdom.

i have seen a unit explode when dropped...of course it was the unit antigen matched for the patient with six antibodies.  Needless to say I was sick but not from the sight of blood on the floor.

i have seen a unit explode when dropped...of course it was the unit antigen matched for the patient with six antibodies.  Needless to say I was sick but not from the sight of blood on the floor.

Everwhere I have worked uses expired panels to rule out/in antibodies.  The cost of keeping enough in-date panels to work up all anitbodies would be enormous.  AABB, CAP and FDA have all inspected these sites numerous times with no problems and I do know at least once FDA was looking at antibody work-ups.

Cliff you know that means that you must live forever....

Cliff you know that means that you must live forever....

Cliff you know that means that you must live forever....