Communication in the blood bank

[Jane]

How do you communicate information to the next shift(s)? We currently use a communication log that everyone is to write down info to pass along and everyone is supposed to read and sign when they take over the department. This does not seem to be working that well lately. I was wondering if anyone else has any ideas??

[Cliff]

We do the same, but we don't make staff sign. They know it's there responsibility to read it each shift. It has worked well for us. We also have a white board in our coordinating (central) area.

[Gloria]

Same here. We have a log book that techs are required to read each shift but do not have to sign. We also have a white board in the lab.

[MicheleKay]

We have a "change of shift book" where all pending information is logged in. We have one person, we refer to as the "floater" who distribiutes the work load throughout the day ensuring all orders are processed and flow nicely. Usually that person is designated to review all the tasks and either look into themself or assign techs to do them. The techs responisble for the loose ends are referred to as the "circulators." Each shift has a "circulator." These techs handle majority of component orders, dispensing, additional xm's, answering the phones, doctor notifications, inventory orderes, etc. which frees up the other techs to process the specimens and any antibody problems that arise. They are also supposed to relay any messages to the next shift. As each task is completed that tech will sign off on it in the "change of shift book." This usually targets and individual to "blame" if the job was either done wrong or not done at all!!!!! But of course we try to be a TEAM and everyone is responsible and capable of making sure the "change of shift book" is cleaned up at the end of their shift.

[Sandy Smietana]

We also have a communication log book that staff are required to sign and read. We have generalists on second and third shift and they go back to the last time they were in the department so they can keep up to date. It has worked very well for us. We've never had a problem with enforcement, the staff find it helpful to know what's happening. They will often document a problem with a member of the nursing or medical staff "just in case" to avoid misunderstandings.

[John C. Staley]

I'm feeling a little left out here. Our shifts overlap by a couple of hours and we just talk. Notes are made specific to patients in the computer for all to see. We aren't very large, maybe that's how we get away with it.

[glewis]

We are a 500 bed, hospital based transfusion service.

We also use a communication log and a white board for messages. If there is a task that has to be completed, it is signed as "DONE" when finished, otherwise it is used mainly to pass on information from one shift to the next. I have to give you a word of caution when using these logs, they should be used to state the facts only and not to voice an opinion!

[David Saikin]

We have a white board, but more to the point, the techs pass info back and forth as we have a 2 hr overlap of shifts.

[Linda McWilliams]

Communication log is used and important memos are printed and signed by each tech.

[Annabelle]

We have a white board in each of 3 areas: front room, where we accession samples, orders and issue product; component manufacturing area; and crossmatch/ compatibility testing area. The white boards are effective for us, the log book was not.

[skopti]

In our hospital the shifts overlap. The senior or charge technologist conveys the messages to the senior technologist or charge tech on the following shift. Alos, written notes are left on the main desk for all techs to review.

[Tricia]

My blood bank is small and we have generalists on the 2nd and 3rd shifts, but we use email to send to everyone so we can communicate to all at the same time. That way everyone gets the same message and can reply with followup, too.

[kate murphy]

We heavily utilize our computer's "mailbox" function. (Misys). Postings go to everyone in the Blood Bank group. Mailbox is different than e-mail in that it automatically pops up when you log onto the computer.

We also utilize white boards extensively.

These 2 seem to give it more of a team approach.