Discontinuing BB Bracelet

[mearley]

For those of you who have discontinued the blood bank bracelet, did you replace with another positive ID system such as mobile care phlebotomy, Bloodloc, etc? Our facility is considering discontinuing the bracelet and only using the med rec # as the ID. Just curious how many other facilities are are doing the same.

[Michaele]

We actually never had our own blood bank bracelet, we use the hospital arm band. On it lists the patient name, DOB, and Medical Record Number. We use those three identifiers. Has always worked well for us, but the lab is the only ones who draw blood bank samples (physicians in surgery are an exception). Until that changes, we will just use the hospital arm band.

[David Saikin]

We always used the pt id bracelet but have switched to BloodLocs about 2 yrs ago . . . barrier system, don't need to stick the pt 2x. Works well.

[tbostock]

We just discontinued our BBID band. Best thing we ever did. We do have Mobile Lab (bedside electronic barcode ID labeling system), but only our phlebs use it. The ER staff will shortly be using it also. We also implemented the two blood types prior to transfusion of non-type O units.

I had experience with BloodLoc many years ago, but when nurses were frustrated, they just cut open the bag. It's a good system if you have nursing accountability; it's a little lacking here.

[Liz]

Good to hear whats happening with the BBID that we never used either. We use the hospital arm band. With the patient name, DOB, and Medical Record Number. But per CAP 2 identifiers are needed. We also draw 2 samples at 2 different times on new patients and require 2 signatures at each draw. We shall soon apply the handheld (HH) barcode scanner for transfusions. Until then we have 2 signatures prior to administration.

Am i right in saying that with the HH barcode reader we only need one transfusionist signature?

[David Saikin]

Depends on your policy. I think 2 is a CAP standard but I bet you could argue it if you presented it well, esp with the latest technology.