AuntiS

I would love centralized temperature monitoring. Ideally, the whole hospital (i.e. pharmacy and what not) would be connected. How about electronic inventory management? RFID technology for the units? sandra

We do a screen and, if indicated, A and B cells. sandra

We didn't label the freezer drawers. But we do have a job aid hanging on the door with the freezer contents (by drawer). It makes it much easer if/when you move your contents around. sandra

We do similar to labguru. We went from manual tube to automated gel (BioRad) and have found the same thing. If we have a discrepancy we send it out for genotyping. Most come back as a weak D type 1 (or 2 or 3). I am considering doing a manual tube type on our females less than 45 when they type as Rh positive the first time. And then sending out any discrepancies for genotyping. sandra

Thank you for the feedback! We are pretty happy with the Bio-Rad cards and IH-500 as well. I'm still trying to figure out how to automate the antigen typing process with the QC available (needing a single dose for the positive QC) but feel like for our core lab staff using column agglutination for antigen testing has been widely preferred. sandra

In Canada, our standards also add a requirement to clearly labelled/segregated area: CSTM 3.2.1.7 Contamination of blood components or blood products from patient samples, reagents and/or tissue products shall be avoided by ensuring that blood components and blood products are stored in designated storage equipment or in clearly labelled segregated areas within the storage equipment. (See guidance statement below: Physical barriers are needed to prevent contamination of blood components and blood products from other materials stored in the same equipment or area. Examples of physical barriers include a leak-proof shelf or container (preferably with a lid), clearly labeled to reflect the contents. If the physical barrier is a shelf, blood components/products should be stored above any potential contaminants (reagents, patient samples, etc.).) sandra

We do the same using the same reagents (but called Bio-Rad) and the SAXO (similar to the Banjo, i think). Our reagents are all scanned into the IH-Com when using the SAXO reader - as long as the IH-500 uses the same reagents the QC flag is absent. sandra

We use an IH-500. If the reactions in the software have no discrepancies (from previous or within the current results, weak reactions, error codes, etc.) they will autovalidate to our LIS. Our LIS does not autoverify. Those are always looked at before being released. sandra

Wow, reading the challenges my American colleagues are having! I thought it was bad here in Ontario, Canada. The hospital laboratories here generally pay the same - unionized or non. And we don't generally have any sign on bonuses outside of working in the North, although I have been hearing some nursing/physician incentives. And I don't think I have ever heard of travelers here. We are starting to get creative with scheduling (looking at 12 hour shift models) and using more lab assistants to do work that does not require the MLT (or lab scientist in the US). Even in the blood bank. People are tired and burnt out.

We are the same here.

Hi everyone! I'm looking for anyone with experience using the Bio-Rad or Diamed antigen typing cards. We are validating (verification) their use in our lab. We are using the Rh/Kell card, and single antigen cards for Jka, Jkb, Fya, Fyb, S and s. So far we love them for manual column agglutination testing. We also have the Bio-Rad IH-500. I guess I'm looking for any experience using the cards an the automated platform. Pros/cons. What you use for QC and how it is programmed. Any other feedback. Anything you have is greatly appreciated! sandra (This will also be posted on the Blood Bank Professionals group on Facebook, so please excluse the multiple posts )

I agree with Ensis01. Sometimes gel can give a false positive - if there is a problem with the card/well or sample (bit of fibrin, etc) - which is resolved upon repeat and/or tube testing. Otherwise, yeah, if you can explain it = great, group specific (meeting all other policy, of course) If not = O. sandra

Sorry - just saw this reply now. Canadian Blood Services tests all donor units for K. If K negative, the donor end label has K- on it. If K positive, the end label doesn't have any K antigen testing information listed - the K+ status is only embedded in the donor unit phenotype barcode. All donor units are treated the same - so the K+ units are available, as all other units are, but it is easy to select a K- unit for females of childbearing potential and who are on a drug like daratumumab. sandra

Hey Nikki, You planning on an IH-1000 or two IH-500? Or a combination with or without the SAXO? sandra

We require any request for blood component or blood product pickup to have the following: Patient Name Patient MRN (i.e. hospital number) Type of product required Location (for phone requests to send via pneumatic tube system) A sticker or other official paper is not required. The info can even be handwritten - but all is required and it has to be correct. sandra