Resurrecting this old post. Eagle Eye posted something we have discussed in our institution recently.

 

If we have a policy where we are required to transfuse irradiated components to patients with Hodgkins Lymphoma and we don't follow the policy because the first order for the patient didn't specify irradiation as a special transfusion requirement, does that give us a get out of jail free card? This wasn't an emergency transfusion but was actually ordered through the oncology department.

I am curious, after having read this posting trail, as to whether anyone would try to get the surgeon's signature (or at least the anesthesiologist) documented for the file as being aware of the deviation and approving of it...

 We would attempt to get the surgeon's or other attending physician's written OK to issue non irradiated units.  If units are urgently required and we didn't have the OK we would send up an emergency release form with the units.  We would never ask our medical director for an OK and I don't think she would give it. 

Edited April 27, 201312 yr by R1R2