JOANBALONE

Get rid of the Blood Bank armband policy or have a policy in which the armband may be removed and reattached later. Some armband manufacturers have bands for reattachment. JB

I think this policy is from the days when red cell units contained a lot of plasma. These days, the red cells in use contain Adsol or other additives, very little plasma is left. I have not seen any passive isoagglutinin due to transfusing massive amounts of group O blood in many years. I have seen it when transfusing incompatible platelets/cryo. JB

Can you post a copy of your training material? JB

Hi Brenda, Why did the policy to give only irradiated products start? JB

One form for multiple units listed on the form. JB

Hi Brenda, I think only ABO/Rh is required on a pretransfusion specimen, reverse type not required. (Can a cord blood be considered a pretransfusion sample??? Not sure about that.) Testing for passive A,B is not routinely required. Mom or baby's specimen may be used to screen/identify unexpected antibodies. JB

We have just started doing this for some select patients. I am curious to hear what others have to say.

#1. Jb

I have found that inspectors can be wrong in their interpretations of the requirements. I think this may be a good example. I would have no problem accepting ARC's validation of the blood boxes. I hope you challenged the deficiency (if you were given one). JB

If you are using transport boxes that were validated to keep temp for a certain amount of time then I don't think you would need to record temps prior to packing and at receipt.

We test cords in IgG gel cards only. We currently test transfusion reaction workups in the poly card and then IgG gel and tube compliment if necessary. JB

You could use this: TRM.40900 Blood/Tissue Sign-Out Phase II The procedure for signing blood/tissue out of the laboratory provides adequate protectionfor the potential recipient. I think this is an important process and should be the same for all patient care areas. You should define what you think is adequate protection for the patient. I think requests should include 2 patient identifiers minimum. After issue, copies of requests should be retained for a short period of time in the laboratory. JB

Not that I am aware. Perhaps other readers know????

We have a form that is completed by the phlebotomist who will ask the questions. The form is kept in the chart and a copy is sent to the blood bank. The answers to the questions are entered into our LIS. We do not require the patient to sign a statement that they have not been pregnant or transfused in the last 3 months.

Our procedure states that the extent of requalification depends on the repair. The extent/type of requalification is documented on the repair form that is completed for each piece of equipment requiring service. The form needs to be completed before blood is moved back to the storage device. I usually monitor temp for 24 hours before returning blood to a storage device but this is not required by any regulatory agency (I think). JB

Surgery department is responsible for ordering pretransfusion testing/blood and they don't forget to do it. I have not seen a surgery schedule in decades.

You do not have to rotate before issue.

I would think that there would be a huge number if "RHIG failures" if this was true.

I wondered about sending RhIG through the tube system too but I could find no literature about 'not to'. The insert does not state that it should not be shaken or agitated. Can anyone else find supporting info not to tube? JB

Did you antigen type the 2 units she received for Jkb? Did you type her post reaction sample for Jkb? JB

Hi Malcolm, Thank you for the PowerPoints. I have reviewed your presentations and I will use some info. JB

Hi all, Does anyone have a PowerPoint presentation about Trasnfusion Medicine, i.e. blood types, clincially significant antibodies, type and screen and crossmatch, that would be appropriate to present to nursing. Not too technical please. Thanks in advance. JB

We also have been having problems on and off and have done what you have done. We do not repeat in tube though. If we review the card and see no reaction we will modify ProVue results before we interface. Let me know if you find out what is causing this problem. JB

I don't think it is a requirement that it must expire day of surgery for PAT patients that have not been transfused/pregnant in the last 3 months. You could place an expiration of T+3 on the date of surgery. JB

Hi Auntie-D Sometimes mom's sample is not available and it is perfectly acceptable to perform screen on baby's sample even if mom is around. JB