Blood Bank Saline QC

[ymg]

Hi everyone:

We were recently inspected by CLIA and one of the citation involved no qc for blood bank saline. Any suggestions on how you QC your saline other than maybe checking the ph?

[sgoertzen]

Daily, we QC each opened saline cube being used and write the information on a log for each workstation. We check

1) saline appearance

2) printed expiration of the cube

3) 1 month expiration from date of opening

4) IDCT results and Check Cells (see procedure copied below)

5) We check the pH daily of the buffered saline for our Capture workstation

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Saline (To be done each day of use)

3. Observe Saline Appearance & Check Expiration of Cube

• Inspect one of the tubes of saline. The saline should be clear, colorless and have no signs of microbial growth or particulate matter.

• Check the expiration on the cube and the date it was opened to ensure it is not expired and is within 1 month of being opened.

• Document acceptability of both of these with the symbol “” on the form.

4. Refill Saline Bottle

• Pour the saline from the saline bottle at the workstation down the drain.

• Using the “prime” mode of the cellwasher at that workstation, refill the bottle.

• Document this was done with the symbol “” on the form.

5. Indirect Coombs Test (Cell #12 in Daily RQC may serve in place of this Negative Control)

• Add one drop of the Pooled Screening Cells to a 10 x 75 test tube.

• Add 2 drops of saline from the saline bottle at the work station and 2 drops N-Hance. Mix well.

• Incubate at 37 C for 15 minutes.

• Wash the tube (x 4 cycles) with the saline & cellwasher of the workstation being tested.

• Add one drop Antihuman Globulin (polyspecific), spin, and read reaction (should be negative).

• Document the reaction interpretation : Neg (Ø), Pos (+), Hemolysis (H)

• Add one drop of AHG Check Cells, centrifuge, and read the tube for agglutination. If the saline and cellwasher are functioning properly, the tube should now show 1-2+ agglutination.

• Document this check cell reaction interpretation : 1+, 2+ = Pos (), Neg (Ø)

NOTE: Immediately discontinue use of the saline if the Indirect Antiglobulin results are positive, hemolysis occurs, or if visual inspection detects any signs of microbial growth or a change in color or clarity.

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I wrote a Cellwasher / Saline QC procedure and would be happy to share the whole thing along with a sample of our QC logsheet if you are interested. Just let me know!

sgoertzen@childrenscentralcal.org

[ymg]

Thanks a million! That would be great. My email is as follows: ygarrett@pcgh.org. Our fax # is 225-638-5808.