suhu

We do as Terri does, exceept for solid phase we cant "select" the cells, so a whole panel is run.
Also, if the current antibody screen pattern matches the previous antibody we do not do new workups.  A new workup is done a) if an unexpected incompatible xm is encountered or (b) the current antibody screen reactivity does not match the identified antibody (ex. prev. anti K, but a K neg screen cell is now positive) or  c)  if the previous antibody was a non-specific antibody, or clinically insignificant antibody, and we wish to interpret the current screen as cllinically insignificant .  Warm auto's are considered on a case by case basis, but in general a workup is done with each new patient admission.

We do as Terri does, exceept for solid phase we cant "select" the cells, so a whole panel is run.
Also, if the current antibody screen pattern matches the previous antibody we do not do new workups.  A new workup is done a) if an unexpected incompatible xm is encountered or (b) the current antibody screen reactivity does not match the identified antibody (ex. prev. anti K, but a K neg screen cell is now positive) or  c)  if the previous antibody was a non-specific antibody, or clinically insignificant antibody, and we wish to interpret the current screen as cllinically insignificant .  Warm auto's are considered on a case by case basis, but in general a workup is done with each new patient admission.

We identify certain antibodies as not clinically significant in our computer system. If the current antibody screen is positive, it requires us to do the AHG crossmatch. If currently negative, it allows electronic.

Same as Terri.  As part of antigen/antibody checking, each antibody is classified in our LIS system as Clinically Significant or Not Clinically Significant.  We would never be able to Electronic XM/Electronic Issue to a patient who has a Clinically Significant in History even if the current antibody screen is neg.  If the antibody is classified as "Not Clinically Significant" and the current antibody screen is neg the patien qualifies for Electronic XM/Electronic Issue.  

Yes, I think it's still fine.  The only reason then that it takes so long is you have many large units thawing at once.  You could take temps of the smaller volume units just to spot check.

LIz,
  It was suggested to us that the indicators be stored "pre-activated" off units in a refrigerator or freezer.  I believe they said they could be kept under refrigeration for up to 1 year after activation. Maybe that would be something for you to try for your irradiated products? so I guess that answers your question too Townsend. 
 
The problem we are having is that the indicators sometimes turn just slightly blue and stay that way (a thin blue line) during transport. We use a pneumatic tube for delivery, but the whole process of xm/delivery is under 4 minutes. They are white when they leave the blood bank, but have a thin blue line by the time they arrive at destination.
 
Ideally, it'd be great to have an indicator that turns a certain color if temp goes to 10-12 for example and for under 10 minutes . Another color to indicate it went over 12 degrees for over 10 minutes for units that were truly out of refrigeration.
something to solve this slightly over 10 degrees in transist/handling issues that we are having trouble solving.

DeeMc
  Do you use those irradiated units up to 28 days for the really tiny babies?  The K+ leak isnt a concern?  Sometimes they only transfuse less than 10cc. should I be concerned about the K+?    I'm stuck in that old mindset when we were required to wash units if more than 24 hours after irradiation, .
...do you use reserve only a certain type anticoagulant?  thanks

We have permanent OR coolers with continuous temp monitoring (temptrak). Units are sent to and returned from the OR via pneumatic tubes. We are taking the temps of returned units (tempcheck) and discard units over 10 degrees. Way too many units are recording temps slightly over 10 and being wasted.I believe that the whole transporting process (taking units out of the coolers, placing in the tubes, traveling thru the tube system, removal of units from pneumatic tube and finally taking the temps) is causing otherwise fine units to go over 10 degrees during the transporting process.  Is it necessary to check the temps of returned units that have been stored in continuously monitored coolers?  It seems so silly, as we accept units back from the regular floors within 30 minutes of issue without any refrigeration or temperature checking. 

rrvakin~
Platelet swirling can be obseved by holding the platelet product up to a light source and gently rocking the bag back and forth. Normal platelets have a discoid shape which refract light resulting in a shimmering, swirling pattern in the platelet plasma. If they loose the discoid shape, such as when activated, they will not reflect light and there is no shimmer or swirl observed. Hope this helps.