Blood Bank 101

[meg123]

Hello,

Just wanted to finally stop in and say Hi. First, I have been to BloodBankTalk on and off and find everyone's input and questions very interesting.

I have been a generalist (MLT) in a hospital for the past 2 - 2 1/2 years, I am a little intimidated in the Blood Bank world. As a generalist work in Blood bank once or twice a month, I do also work the night shift every 3rd weekend and dabble in BB occasionally, this is the most stressful for me since I am the only tech at night which is usually when the emergency situations arrive. So along with doing BB I am trying to cover the other departments as well. I don't feel I have quite the experience in blood bank that I need.

If anyone has any reference materials or websites for Blood banking that would be greatly appreciated.

[Eagle Eye]

You are at right location!!!!!!!!!

[Deny Morlino]

First off welcome! What level of workup are you performing during the blood bank duties (i.e. Type and cross, antibody ID, etc.)? This will help posters point you in the correct direction.

[L106]

Hi meg123 and welcome to Blood Bank Talk.

All of my staff are generalists, too, and I understand that it's difficult to become comfortable in Blood Bank if you are seldom to Blood Bank work. One of the best ways to improve your experience and confidence is to do as much of it as you can. If you avoid it you will never get better.

Do you feel like you had good lecture notes from your MLT training? If so, go over those again. Does your current facility teach MLS (alias Med Tech) students? If so, talk to the BB teacher. Maybe you could read through those lectures. Rereading your lab's Blood Bank Procedure Manual might be helpful if it is well-written. Here on BBTalk, you can search for particular topics you want to read about by typing the name of the topic in the SEARCH area on the upper left area of this screen.

(My best teacher was a wonderful experienced coworker, but it doesn't sound like you have that luxury.)

Donna

[Likewine99]

L106 is absolutely correct, don't shy away from the BB, get in there as often as you can.

There aren't a lot of techs who are truly dedicated to BB anymore, generalists are more the norm than specialists.

I have tons of BB experience but when working alone, esp on nights or w/e and I have a difficult panel or just plain don't have enough time to get it all done: "when in doubt, send it out!"

[piercemp]

Hi Meg. A real interest in blood banking can open up a world of opportunities both inside and outside the hospital. You should check out www.aabb.org, www.isbtweb.org and www.americasblood.org. Becoming a blood donor can also help you learn about the blood industry. My 20+ years have been very rewarding. Good luck!

[blut]

Hi Meg123,

Websites that may be helpful:

1. Blood bank modules:

http://www.ualberta.ca/~pletendr/tm-modules/

Caution: I developed these modules many years ago when I taught blood banking and have not kept them up. They are very basic, do not include the latest advances and methods, use frames (no longer used on the web) and some external links may be broken. Nonetheless, I think the modules are still relevant for learning basic theory and test practices.

2. TraQ case studies:

http://www.traqprogram.ca/CaseStudies.asp

Level B cases are the most relevant for basic problem solving.

3. Canadian Blood Services educational website:

http://www.transfusionmedicine.ca/resources/books/vein-vein

(copy & paste to the end of 'vein-vein')

See the links beneath the video, particularly Pretransfusion and Complications .

All of the above resources are freely available.

Cheers, Pat

UA: http://www.ualberta.ca/~pletendr/

June's TM blog:

"I will remember you" (Musing on mentorship")

http://traq.blogspot.com/

Edited July 7, 2010 by blut
typo

[Eoin]

Welcome.

Even to us oldies, this is often used as avaluable resource. I am 40 years in BB now and still learning (maybe I'm just a slow learner - I must be or by now I would be a rich plumber or electrician).

Eoin

[Liz]

Welcome, you are at the right place, I have learnt a lot here. I am just surprised about "Generalist" we do not have this at our Lab, although we are tryig to cross train and it may (is) work (ing) for certain sections but not the BB. I understand your concern and appreciate your wish to learn. The BB is a critical area.

Best of luck, come back and ask questions.

Liz

[L106]

Welcome, you are at the right place, I have learnt a lot here. I am just surprised about "Generalist" we do not have this at our Lab, although we are tryig to cross train and it may (is) work (ing) for certain sections but not the BB. I understand your concern and appreciate your wish to learn. The BB is a critical area.

Best of luck, come back and ask questions.

Liz

Just curious, Liz.....Why do you think that the cross-training isn't working for Blood Bank?

Donna

[Liz]

Hello Donna,

Given the nature of the work at the Blood Bank and the fact that we release a product, the staff who do not work regularly at the Blood Bank tend to forget and do not feel as confident as they do in other sections. While those dedicated to the Blood Bank are fine and enjoy the work. I understand how Meg123 feels. Strangely, or understandably, even the evening-night Lab supervisor did not feel as comfortable as the BB staff when he was asked to fill in for someone at the Blood Bank. Now it is better because he is routinely on schedule as part of the BB evening-night Staff and holds the position of Supervisor.

Liz :)