Brenda K Hutson

I have used various coolers to send blood to the OR, in the different Institutions I have worked in. However, in trying to look for the website on 2 different types, I cannot find anything. Do these coolers still exist? One is ThermoSafe and the other is Cell-Safe. This new Hospital opens July 12th so time if of the essence for me to place orders. If any of you have contact information for either/both of these (or any other company that uses the "freeze" bottles), please let me know. Also, I have always used the Safe-T-Vue 10 temp. monitors. After reading a recent discussion, am wondering if the coolers for OR are supposed to store blood only at 1-6C instead of the 1-10C that probably many of us have, or still do, use. Does anyone use the Safe-T-Vue 6 Monitors? If yes, do you have any trouble with them turning red frequently? Thanks very much! Brenda Hutson, CLS(ASCP)SBB

Two Questions: 1 regarding Coolers for blood in the OR, and the other regarding Safe-T-Vue Temperature Monitors for that blood. Our Hospital just purchased another Hospital (and the previous owners took most things from the Lab). So, I am in the process of ordering Supplies, Reagents, etc. I have used various coolers to send blood to the OR, in the different Institutions I have worked in. However, in trying to look for the website on 2 different types, I cannot find anything. Do these coolers still exist? One is ThermoSafe and the other is Cell-Safe. This new Hospital opens July 12th so time if of the essence for me to place orders. If any of you have contact information for either/both of these (or any other company that uses the "freeze" bottles), please let me know. Also, I have always used the Safe-T-Vue 10 temp. monitors. After reading a recent discussion, am wondering if the coolers for OR are supposed to store blood only at 1-6C instead of the 1-10C that probably many of us have, or still do, use. Does anyone use the Safe-T-Vue 6 Monitors? If yes, do you have any trouble with them turning red frequently? Thanks very much! Brenda Hutson, CLS(ASCP)SBB

The Nurses know that they must return the blood within 30 mins. if they cannot tranfuse at that time (though of course they should not have sent for it if they were not ready). So basically they think they can start the transfusion anywhere in that 30 minute time-frame, and that the 4 hour clock starts when the transfusion starts. There have been occassions where they send it back > 30 mins. We then call them and tell them we cannot take it back,and that if they think they can transfuse it within 4 hours (and for us, that meant from the time if left our dept.; but now finding out that it meant something else to the Nurses), then they should come back and get the unit and transfuse it. Now their argument is: but we would not transfuse something that had been out > 30 mins. HELLO! You are always transfusing something that has been out >30 mins. in that it could be hanging for 4 hours! Anyway, thanks, Brenda

And in addition to all of your experiences, one place I worked actually monitored this as an Audit. We had a 2 page Transfusion Form that attached to the Units. We signed out on the Form, and the Nurses signed the Form and documented Vital Signs on it. One copy stayed on the chart, and the other came back to the BB. I would then look at the time frame from when we issued it, to the completion of the transfusion. If > 4 hours, I wrote an Occurrence Report. Thanks again for all of your "documentation" for me to give to our Nursing Dept. Brenda Hutson, CLS(ASCP)SBB

Well, I think part of why that is in their Protocol is that they know they cannot return the unit after 30 mins. After 26 years and 6 different Institutions (large and small), I would have been surprised to have been doing it wrong all this time. Thanks for the "data" to present to Nursing, Brenda Hutson, CLS(ASCP)SBB

We are having a little disagreement with our Nursing staff (first time in my 26 years I have heard this). In my 26 years and 6 Institutions, we have always started the clock for the 4 hour transfusion time, from the time we issue the blood from the Transfusion Service. However, our Nursing staff has in their protocol, that the clock starts when the transfusion starts. In looking in the Technical Manual, it just states 4 hours; it does not say at what point that clock starts. I told the Director and Educator of Nursing that I would "throw the question out" on this website for input. So, I would appreciate your feedback. Thanks, Brenda Hutson, CLS(ASCP)SBB

We are having a little disagreement with our Nursing staff (first time in my 26 years I have heard this). In my 26 years and 6 Institutions, we have always started the clock for the 4 hour transfusion time, from the time we issue the blood from the Transfusion Service. However, our Nursing staff has in their protocol, that the clock starts when the transfusion starts. In looking in the Technical Manual, it just states 4 hours; it does not say at what point that clock starts. I told the Director and Educator of Nursing that I would "throw the question out" on this website for input. So, I would appreciate your feedback. Thanks, Brenda Hutson, CLS(ASCP)SBB

I have done it "all" of those ways at previous Hospitals. For patients with no historical type, one place I worked required that 2 different Techs., type the same specimen. However this will only capture mis-typing the the Tech., not a misdraw. At another place, they required a type be performed on 2 separate specimens, drawn at separate times. That is obviously more time-consuming, but much more helpful in preventing risk to patients due to misdraws. From what I have read, the latter is "becoming" the standard of practice. Hope that helps, Brenda

Our Hospital is in the process of acquiring a smaller, satellite hospital (locally). This is relatively new, so I am not certain at this point, the extent of transfusions they do (what their patient population is like; what surgeries they perform; etc.). My Hospital is a 450 bed Community Hospital and the Hospital we are acquiring, is a 143 bed Community Hospital. So as we are embarking on this journey, the question becomes; what is the "minimal" amount of Blood Banking that our satellite Hospital will still be responsible for. In addition, what services can be shared (i.e. Management, Reagents, Supplies, Blood, SOPs, etc.). I would really appreciate feedback from anyone else who oversees this type of relationship with another Hospital. Thanks, Brenda Hutson, CLS(ASCP)SBB

With regard to specimen labeling, well, I won’t tell you “all†of the things they have done historically here, prior to my coming (I don’t want to shock anyone ), but specifically, this is in regard to Cord Blood specimens. The policy for labeling them has been different in every Institution I have worked at; but one thing that “has†been consistent, is that there are a lot of errors related to Cord Blood specimens. My question arises because I recently rejected a specimen (for BB testing only) that had only 1 of the 2 labels on it; the floor was very upset. At my current Institution, the Cord Blood Specimens come with 2 labels on them; one “mom’s†label, and one “baby’s†label. In the past (before me), if one of the labels was missing, they would send the specimen back to Maternity so they could add the other label (it is also worth noting here that we have received Cord specimens where the mom and baby labels on the specimen, are not in fact the same mother/baby combo). So, I see a number of issues: 1. Incomplete and/or erroneous labeling 2. I would never send any specimen back for corrections and/or labeling I would greatly appreciate your feedback, Thanks Brenda Hutson, CLS(ASCP)SBB

With regard to specimen labeling, well, I won’t tell you “all†of the things they have done historically here, prior to my coming (I don’t want to shock anyone ), but specifically, this is in regard to Cord Blood specimens. The policy for labeling them has been different in every Institution I have worked at; but one thing that “has†been consistent, is that there are a lot of errors related to Cord Blood specimens. At my current Institution, the Cord Blood Specimens come with 2 labels on them; one “mom’s†label, and one “baby’s†label. In the past (before me), if one of the labels was missing, they would send the specimen back to Maternity so they could add the other label (it is also worth noting here that we have received Cord specimens where the mom and baby labels on the specimen, are not in fact the same mother/baby combo). So, I see a number of issues: Erroneous and/or incomplete labeling; in my mind, is not acceptable; period. I do NOT send specimens back for corrections and/or labeling; period. Your feedback would be greatly appreciated! Brenda Hutson,CLS(ASCP)SBB

Later this year, we will be moving into our new Hospital (built right next to our current, old one). The "current" Management actually suggested we tape the refrigerator doors closed, with the blood inside, and just move the equipment to the new Hospital! Ok, now that I am over that shock, I know what I have done at previous Institutions when we have moved the Lab, but would like to know what the regulations/guidelines are for moving refrigerators, freezers, centrifuges, cellwashers, etc.; in other words, what checks are performed once the equipment (without blood products in it ) is in the new Lab, prior to using it? I would greatly appreciate any and all feedback! Thanks Brenda Hutson, CLS(ASCP)SBB

Later this year, we will be moving into our new Hospital (built right next to our current, old one). The "current" Management actually suggested we tape the refrigerator doors closed, with the blood inside, and just move the equipment to the new Hospital! Ok, now that I am over that shock, I know what I have done at previous Institutions when we have moved the Lab, but would like to know what the regulations/guidelines are for moving refrigerators, freezers, centrifuges, cellwashers, etc.; in other words, what checks are performed once the equipment (without blood products in it ) is in the new Lab, prior to using it? I would greatly appreciate any and all feedback! Thanks Brenda Hutson, CLS(ASCP)SBB