We do not require a blood specimen for FFP/Plasma and platelet transfusions, if patents blood group is already known. Physicians copy the result from patient file or results on transfusions requests and sign it.

I could probably go with that on platelet transfusion, however that would really scare me on FFP transfusions. There are too many areas for mistakes to be made. The first blood type could be incorrect, the physician could read the wrong blood type or write it down wrong. I would feel better if a blood type was determined at least once per admission.

I agree with mjshepherd on this one.

I would worry about both, if the patient were a newborn.

One is NOT always told if an IUT or an exchange transfusion has been given, and the baby could appear to be group O when first tested, but actually be A, B or AB by the time they come in the next time.

Thanks all of u. I am not satisfied, with this practice, ur opinions shall boost my opinion to make change to years old policy, I hope my medical director shall support me too.

Good luck!

:fingerscr:fingerscr:fear::disbelief:disbelief

We had a problem when a patient was registered wrong and we almost gave her the wrong plasma based on the computer history. Now we require one blood type per admission for plasma.

:hooray:

We perform a ABORh for the first platelet or FFP order on a new specimen.

I have always found it odd that we were so worried about incomaptible FFP but seem to never hesitate to give large volumes of incompatible plasma simply because platelets happen to be suspended in it!!!

Having said that we always required a current type and screen for all in-house patient transfusions and for FFP and platelets that was defined as "this hospital stay".

For out patients just coming in for platelets if we had 2 types on record we could give based on that info but that never really made sense from a safety stand point.

Interesting how on occasion safety can be sacrificed for patient convenience (sp?).

:blahblah:

For platelets and FFP, we require to 2 blood types on file.

There are a couple of items that may be used to justify a blood type once each admission in addition to some of the others presented

- it is a way to identify potential wrong blood in tube situations

- in the current economy, patients are sharing their identities and this would be a way of at least knowing what type person you're transfusing

- some Platletpheresis products and most FFP are larger volume products than they once were depending upon your supplier

Our method states a type has to have been done within the past 30 days

we require one blood type per admission for plasma or platelet