We are currently having a discussion regarding the" expiration" of the PAT T/S. We expire the sample at midnight(2359) on the the day of the surgery (unless the sample is already within 72 hours and would not expire until a later date OR there is a special circumstance postop that would allow the tube to be used until "AM" routine collection"). Does anyones else have an opinion on this subject? We like to collect a new sample the morning following the procedure for easier record keeping and consistency with "the other patients" rules. All opinions are welcomed. Thanks for your input!

Our PAT samples are good for 7 days unless the pt has been transfused/pregnant within the past 3 months.

I don't think it is a requirement that it must expire day of surgery for PAT patients that have not been transfused/pregnant in the last 3 months. You could place an expiration of T+3 on the date of surgery.

JB

Joan is correct - there really is no time limit for specimens when transfusions/pregnancy are not in the picture. I have seen places save PAT for 1 month (the plasma is frozen). I guess it all has to do with your comfort level and storage capacity.

Hi, We do the same thing as you....have a 7 day PAT and expire the specimen at midnight the day of surgery (unless the patient has been pregnant or transfused w/in the last 3 months or have an antibody etc etc) This has been causing a lot of confusion for the physicians and nurses. They don't understand why the specimen has to expire at midnight...I will likely be changing the policy to day of surgery +3.

At a previous hospital....all the patients had to be banded and come in no sooner than 3 days before their surgery. The specimen was only good for a total of 72 hours no matter what the patient history was. This was kind of a pain for the patient plus if there was some sort of confounding serological problem...it could potentially result in a delay of surgery (rare but still...)

Hope this helps!

Ours expire 3 days post-op too.