Ellis M. Frohman

We are reviewing our processes for releasing blood products in a massive transfusion situation (10+ units of RBCs). We currently issue each unit with its own paperwork requiring signatures for each unit. This process replaced the use of a Massive Trandfusion distribution form where all units in a box of 10 were listed on a single sheet. We found that OR personnel were not completing the form to indicate which units were used or they just drew lines down the page and signed at the bottom. How do other organizations handle these type of situations? Please share your SOP or form with us. Thanks.

The term "Trauma Pack" has been used by physicians and nurses in one of our ICUs and in some ORs when there is a STAT need for blood products. This is term is not in our SOPs and has not been used, until recently, in this hospital. When asked to define "Trauma Pack", the RN calling the blood bank has no idea what she is asking for and tells us that's what the order says. Does anyone use the term "Trauma Pack"? If so, how do you define it, when is it used, what turn around time is expected, etc?

John Thank you for sharing your process. Please clarify one point for me. Upon request from the patient care area, only one staff member selects the appropriate blood unit that was crossmatched previously and checks the label, tags and sends to the patient care area. Is this correct? Thanks, ellis

I am interested in the blood product signout process used by Transfusion Services who utilize a pneumatic tube system for transporting blood products to patient care areas. Traditionally two individuals (one from the Blood Bank and one from the Patient Care area) review numbers, names, etc on forms and the blood product label to verify identification of the requested unit to the patient before it is released from the blood bank. To do this when using a pneumatic tube system, two blood bank staff memebers would be involved. Is this what pneumatic tube users do? If possible, please email a copy of your sign out procedure to me (email removed by admin to reduce spam, please contact through the users profile) Any information on the use of pneumatic tubes would be very helpfull. Thank you