We use the FinalCheck band system and it works 'outside of' BPAM. The unit of blood is issued in a tough plastic bag w/ a ziplock top. There is a 'padlock' on the bag that prevents it from being opened (the ziplock can't be opened). The combination to the lock is 4 alpha characters on the FinalCheck armband that the patient is wearing. This is the first step in the ID process at the patient bedside. (We still use 2 person ID for transfusions.) If the lock won't open, there is a problem and the BPAM ID process doesn't proceed until Blood Bank has investigated and solved the problem. If the lock will open, then BPAM ID and the transfusion proceeds. That is how their policy for transfusion is written. Their policy also says that the alpha code is not to be recorded anywhere in Epic or on paper towels or on the back of someone's hand. The bags are not cut open.
We do not have a problem with bags being cut open - has not happened once in the several years we've used the system - because that action is subject to serious disciplinary action because it is considered blatant disregard for patient safety. Human behavior says that cheating the system is always possible, but we've had really great cooperation from nursing staff because enough of them realize the advantage of the bands/locks for patient safety. They self-police very well. . . And our phlebs are really good confidential informants .
PBM RN reacted to AMcCord in Blood Bank Wristbands with EpicWe use the FinalCheck band system and it works 'outside of' BPAM. The unit of blood is issued in a tough plastic bag w/ a ziplock top. There is a 'padlock' on the bag that prevents it from being opened (the ziplock can't be opened). The combination to the lock is 4 alpha characters on the FinalCheck armband that the patient is wearing. This is the first step in the ID process at the patient bedside. (We still use 2 person ID for transfusions.) If the lock won't open, there is a problem and the BPAM ID process doesn't proceed until Blood Bank has investigated and solved the problem. If the lock will open, then BPAM ID and the transfusion proceeds. That is how their policy for transfusion is written. Their policy also says that the alpha code is not to be recorded anywhere in Epic or on paper towels or on the back of someone's hand. The bags are not cut open.
PBM RN got a reaction from Mabel Adams in patient blood managment, blood utilization software vendorsWe most recently worked with Mediware, formerly know as SHG. Their product changed and did not meet our needs anymore, they have rebranded now and I don't remember their name. We moved to in-house reporting with Epic data feeds to Crystal reports. If you cannot do internal reporting, a company I recommend is Accumen. They are a growing company with longtime, well respected SME experts from several other former companies, including SHG. They also have great resources for standing up a PBM program and SME support and knowledge libraries.