ChrisW

I agree that managing HLA-matched platelet orders - especially for outpatients - is very challenging. We recently entertained a recommendation to move to Crossmatched platelets as the first step in providing product for patients who may have become refractory to platelet transfusions. We are pursuing that option and our Hem/Onc docs are on board. The rationale is that it will provide a greater pool of suitable platelets for transfusion; it will take into account antibodies that may contribute to less than successful response to HLA matched platelets. We are in the process of adapting our procedures and evaluating the logistics since a fresh within 3 day sample will be required.

I can no longer find the Thermolyne 12200 heat blocks available from any of our Vendors. We are looking at our remote temperature monitoring which shows that these fluctuate according to the ambient temperature. If the temp in the lab goes up, so does the temp of the dri-bath. We are trying to troubleshoot that to see how we can keep the temps constant despite changing environmental conditions. I'm wondering if something like the Boekle with a lid would help. Any thoughts?

Although not specific to the lots you mentioned, we have seen the same scenario on occasion in the past. 2 or 3 cell capture screens pos on Neo with negative ABID on Neo. Manual screens on same lots are often negative. No good explanation from us or Immucor.

Thanks for the information! We are hoping to remove as much paper as possible and only use one sensor per device if we can get away with it. I really want to get rid of the Temp Charts - such old technology! (kind of like me) and I'm sure the new technology has to be better. Sounds like inspectors wll be happy if we perform our due diligence and validate that everything correlates.

Our facility is in the process of intalling sensors in refrigs, freezers, etc. to centrally monitor temperatures and alarm alerts. For those of you who have this process in place in your Transfusion Services, I have a few questions: 1. How many sensors per device did you install? 2. Do you mainitain liquid in glass thermometers and reocrd those temps in your devices after validation of system? 3. Do you physically observe temps daily or do you access the remote monitoring data? 4. What are inspectors (AABB, CAP, FDA) looking at during your audits after system go-live? Thanks for sharing your experiences. Chris

For those of you in busy transfusion services, how do you confirm the blood product order that you recevied in you LIS with the product that you are setting up or issuing? Our computer systems do not link the patient's chart order to our product issue so I am looking for a best practice manual process to do this. Thanks for any ideas! Chris

We have one LIS person devoted primarily to Blood Bank and she works closely with the Transfusion Services staff. She built the ISBT products and modifications in a test domain. She developed validation scripts and performed the testing in our test domain, and will complete additional tsting in production as we go live - which will likely be Summer 2011 when our ARC region completes their process. Chris

We have chosen to enter "OK" if we will accept the unit back into our inventory or ">10" if we find it in our acceptable temp range. We reference this in our SOP.

We are in the process of developing our ISBT build for Cerner Millennium 2007.18. Our LIS person is curious if a one to one relationship for product build is the most appropriate way to go. If there are any Millennium users who have completed a successful ISBT build that would like to share information with us, please let me know. Thanks Chris

If anyone has had experience switching from the Immucor Galileo to the Biotest Tango, woud you be willing to share your experiences? We are interested in how they compare in the real world in sensitivity and specificity of antibody detection and specificity; incidence of warm-auto antibody detection; are you performing DAT and IgG XMs on the instrument? ease of operation? reagent/supply waste? downtime? Thanks in advance for any informatio that you are willing to share. Chris

Our hospital uses the Alaris infusion pump for red cell transfusions. Do any of you use it within your facilites for platelet transfusions? What has been your experience?Thakks for any info....Chris