Stickers on Blood Bags

[Mary**]

Our nursing staff is thinking of asking us to place a "charge sticker" on each unit to remind them to charge for their supplies and services. I know that they will have to be of a certain quality. Any thoughts?

[heathervaught]

Can you add it to whatever form/tag/electronic document they use to document vital signs, etc. during the transfusion? That way it wouldn't add any extra steps to your process for issuing blood.

[Mary**]

That is a good idea, but there is not enough room on the tag.

[rravkin@aol.com]

Mary,

How about just adding a word and check off box to the unit tag graphics as part of what the nursing staff would be responsible for. You could place the new graphic near where they fill out the vital signs.

[L106]

I can understand if you are dealing with a nursing unit that rarely ever has need to do a transfusion (ie: once a year or so), but regular nursing staff? I would think they would be totally indoctrinated to charge the patient for all appropriate supplies and services, particularly in this economic climate.

[Mary**]

:bonk:We have decided to do nothing. It is complicated by the fact that they can only charge the "transfusion CPT code" once every 24 hours for Medicare patients, no matter how many units are given. Since a series of transfusions can extend over many shifts and change of staff, we suggested that they develop some kind of charge sheet for the chart, so everyone involved can see if it has been charged in the last 24 hours. Putting a sticker on each bag would only complicate this, it turns out. Thanks.

[Vic]

Currently, our Blood Bank is the one that drops the "blood administration" charge for our hospital. 2 days after the product is issued, our computer system puts the product in "Issued, Final" status. We are able to print a report which shows all of the products that were issued 2 days prior and then we charge the patient based on the amount of time transfused, < 2 hours, 2-4 hours or >4 hours.

[Ellen Zeigler]

I would stay away from putting labels on the bags. Adhesive would have to be FDA approved. at the moment my brain has gone blank as to its name but the vendors of BB labels would knw.