Moira Johnson

We require the baseline pre-transfusion temperature when dispensing blood products.  The baseline is necessary to determine problems with the next/subsequent transfusion vitals for the product, as stated in the replies above.  I must say that I believe Eileen may have been asking about the actual temperature itself, meaning is it too high to start a transfusion, and that being said, has the attending/ordering physician been informed and given consent for the transfusion?  We always ask that question if the pre-transfusion temp is 101 degrees F or higher.  This is stated in our policy as well, which nursing follows in practice.
I hope this helps, Eileen!

I don't know if I agree with these statements.
We use Igloo coolers with a corrugated plastic insert (custom made). We have about 50 coolers and replace them on a regular basis. They are used a lot.
When we validate them, they don't all pass. Some maintain temp better than others. So if we were to validate just the method, then it might mislead us in thinking they were all good (or all bad).
As for twice a year, what are you proving by doing that? That the one that you validated still works and represents all of them? What if one has a crack in it but you didn't pick that one for the validation. Is it still good?
I wish there were some good guidance on issues like these. We all want to do the right thing, but we all also fear hearing an inspector say that what we did is not enough, and their unfounded advice is to do more.