Everett9239

This is something that I am looking to introduce in my lab.  One of the things I was told in a recent inspection is that we cannot dilute the confidence antibody unless we are able to show that performs at or better than the standards put in place by the FDA.  Furthermore, you must have some sort of test (a titer for example) to prove that the reagent has adequate reactivity before using it as a QC material.  That being said, we were using a 1:11 dilution of the Ortho Confidence Antibody to run on our gel panels.  I decided to start titering this to satisfy the requirement....but came up with a titer of 1 (naturally).  So, I am going to work on perhaps diluting the confidence antibody x5 and seeing if I can come up with a weak antibody that way.  Of course, then I will need to titer that each time I make it....ugh!!!  It's always something...and I just got done fixing competency!

We do do 'live' transfusion audits, but I agree with Kate, that I do not think this is mandated by AABB standard 8.2. I too find, that my nurses are 100% compliant. Our current audit process involves following transfusion practice from blood (specimen) collection, through testing and transfusion. I have a form that I use to check off each step.
However, I attended the AABB annual conference and went to a wonderful seminar on internal and external audits. One thing they pointed out, was to check all QC and inventory records from the day of the transfusion that is being audited. We haven't ever checked everything that could have affected the transfusion. The advice was, if you have 100% compliance then either the audi is not effective or you are missing something.
There was also talk about having a variety of audits and a schedule of audits that is approved by the medical director. I plan on trying to revamp our quality assurance program to include audits on adverse events, on suppliers and on transfusions adhering to (or not adhering to) the institutions transfusion guidelines.

I have just taken a job at the hospital I have been working at for a little over 2 years now as the Blood and Bone Bank Supervisor.  I will admit, I am nervous, but at the same time very excited!  I will be (hopefully) getting into the Indiana Blood Center on-line SBB program this November, and will be explanding my knowledge base.  I stumbled on this website by accident and was completely overwhelmed with the amount of knowledged people here.  Every blood bank topic you could ever want to know about!!!  I am so glad there is something like this out there, and I am SURE I will be referring to this on many occassions.