hyper hemolytic syndrome

[Barb Thompson]

For patients with hyper hemolytic syndrome, do you require the physician to sign an emergency transfusion release prior to issuing units?

[kate murphy]

We do not, but I think it depends on your institiution.  We have a very involved med director and path residents.  They communicate well with the ordering doc in these instances and our med director approves these transfusions.  If you don't have this luxury, I would advocate some documentation that the additional risks have been explained and understood by the ordering doc.  An emergency release would work if you added that the patient has hyperhemolysis.