We're in the process of revamping our Transfusion Committee membership and I'm trying to get some ideas of who should be on the committee. Other than representatives from pathology, blood bank, nursing, and other ancillary services (dialysis, risk management), should I include any other departments on the committee? Are there departments that should be excluded?

I have an anesthesiologist, cardiovascular surgeon, neonatalogist, OB/Gyn, and an oncologist on my committee. Each shows up at least once every year or so. Good luck.

BC

Each shows up at least once every year or so. Good luck.

BC

Wow, you actually have pretty good success.

jhaig,

I wouldn't exclude anyone. The more the better. As Bob said, it's a tough committee to get people to come to, and we aren't trying to hide anything. Opinions on improvement from other areas can always help.

All that said above, don't just stack a bunch of people on the committee who will never show up. Whenever I have a member who misses two meetings in a row, their department chairman gets a note asking them to please provide someone who can attend the meeting. I either get a new person the next meeting or a grudgingly present former absentee. Neither person contributes anything other than their presence. I try to keep it short and interesting (no needless presentation of cumulative facts- anyone can read a report.)

BC

So far, here's what I've got lined up:

Blood Bank Supervisor (me)

Head pathologist

O.R. Director

Risk Management Director

Nursing Staff Development Director

Dialysis Services Rep.

Physician Rep. (internist)

Oncology Rep.

Basically I'm trying to get someone from each area that would ever issue, administer, or even touch a blood product.

You might consider having a representative from anesthesiology. The OR director and anesthesiology (who transfuse the blood) don't necessarily have the same interests at heart.

BC

I agree with Bob. We have found that having a representative from anesthesia has been very valuable. Also, a "front line" nurse such as IV team, critical care, or outpatient infusion nurse will bring an entirely different perspective than a nurse administrator. We also invite a medical and surgical resident.

I should be covered with outpatient transfusions because our dialysis unit handles all outpatient infusions as well. Even though anesthesia falls under our O.R.'s jurisdiction, it probably would be a good idea to invite someone from their area specifically. They, however, are notorious for not attending meetings throughout the hospital. Must be the free food isn't enough. Oh well, it must be nice to be in your own little exclusive world.:cool:

I would advise having someone "higher up" on your committee as well if possible. That way if you do have any problems, they can help you solve them a little faster. I have had the VP that is over the laboratory on the Blood Utilization Committee for that last few years and that has proven to be a good thing.

Definitely add anesthesia, and also if you do transplants, cardiac surgery, you probably have a perfusion team. These people are pretty well versed in management of blood, and blood conservation. Even if they are a contract group rather than an in-house, they can be a very valuable addition.

It seems that ideas and suggestions just don't have the same impact unless you can get physicians to attend. Our nursing staff and QA people show up religiously, but the decision makers that we need to really impact the changes in our institution are often absent. (ie trying to get our docs to stop transfusing to patients with Hgb greater than 10!) One thing that has helped us is to invite the Medical Director of our blood supplier to these meetings. It has been wonderful to have someone support what I've been trying to do - and usually when recommendations comes from a physician rather than some tech in the lab - it is much better received. And now I don't dread that trip to the soap box every quarter as much as I used to.