Is it necessary to re-type a unit if you are re-entering it back into your sytem. Example: We received a unit and re-typed it. Then transferred the same unit out for irradiation, then it was sent back to us, so we re-entered into computer system. On re-enter, our system did not reflex a re-type as it recognizes it as already here. Comments....

I would not think so, so long as you can prove beyond a shadow of doubt that it is the same unit.

We use Soft and it does the same, just puts it for redelivery. I am almost positive it is fine since that donor number is unique, but would be interested in others comments.

Someone correct me if I am wrong, but the point in re-typing a unit recieved from a donor center is to validate the donor's center ABO/Rh. It doesn't matter where the unit goes after that. As long as it is still tracked within your system (documented where and when it went from place to place) and the label does not fall off or whatever, I would think that re-re-typing is not necessary.

Scott

Our system does not allow retyping of a unit once it has been done in the system. If you have a concern that it might be returned with a different ABO/Rh from the original product, compare the records in the computer.

Unit typing is done by the facility to make sure the ABO/Rh label on the bag is the same as the blood inside the bag and to satisfy electronic crossmatch requirements. Who labels the product as irradiated? If just a 2x4 product date time label (ISBT)is added there should be no problem. We perform a label check in the computer every time we modify a product and relabel it.

Unfortunately our BB computer system will allow a unit number to be entered with 2 different products with 2 different blood types!!

AABB Std 5.12

Before transfusion the ABO group of each whole blood and Red Blood Cell conponent and the Rh type of such units labeled as Rh negative shall be confirmed by a serologic test from an integrally attached segment. Confirmatory testing for weak D is not required.

5.12.1 Discrepancies shall be reported to the collecting facility and shall be resolved before issue of the blood for transfusion,

Our facility has a free-standing E.R. at another location that is required to have 2 units of O neg RBCs on hand at all times. We receive O neg units in at our main hospital facility and do the retype. The O neg units can then be transferred out of our facility to the free-standing E.R. site-the unit is put into a 'quarantine' state at our main hospital. We have a 'transfer log' that has to be filled out detailing the unit # and when it was sent and the temp. when sent etc. The free-standing E.R. site has to document when they received the unit and the temp. etc. If they need to use the unit they need to change the status of the unit form quarantine to available. If they do not use the unit within 7 days of it's expiration, the unit is returned back to our main hospital site with 'transfer log' documentation completed. The unit is then taken out of quarantine and made available again for use at the main hospital site. We do not have to retype the unit again as we are able to show tracking of the disposition of the unit at every step along the way. I have another question for you-why would you send a unit someplace else to be irradiated instead of just ordering an irradiated unit directly from a reference lab site? This is how we handle obtaining irradiated units-they come to us from our reference lab.