Hi everyone! For everyone that uses the pneumatic tube system to issue blood, do you also apply a temperature indicator (such as HemoTemp or Safe-T-Vue)? Does nursing know how to use the temperature indicators to check the unit? Or is the temperature indicator only used by Blood Bank for requalifying the unit if it was returned to the blood bank? Thanks in advance for all your input!!

We do not place temperature indicators on our units sent via pneumatic tube, unless we know that the blood may not be given in a timely manner (i.e., multiple units tubed to the OR). When we validated our tube system, temperature limits were maintained appropriately.

I agree with tskridge. We use temperature indicators on blood that is kept in remote storage (OR, SICU). I consider a Safe-T-Vue for "blood bank only" use.

No indicator here either. Our system is set to recall the unit within the time frame determined through trials prior to the temperature rising above the acceptable return point. We use a secure transport feature requiring a code to release the unit at the receiving station. If the unit is not released by the time the unit is due to warm too much for return to the blood bank, it is automatically recalled by the pneumatic tube system to the lab. Once it arrives in the lab it must be released to drop using the same code nursing would have used to retrieve the unit. This system works for us.

We do not place temperature indicators on our units sent via pneumatic tube, unless we know that the blood may not be given in a timely manner (i.e., multiple units tubed to the OR). When we validated our tube system, temperature limits were maintained appropriately.

We do the same.

We don't use them either. If we don't receive a receipt back within 10 mins, we call and nag them to either send back the receipt or the blood.

Deny...I like your system though...hmmmm

We also validated our system and the temps remained within limits. Ours are sent badge secure so we can document who sent it and who removed it from the tube station. This feature has come in very handy when nurses claim they didn't receive the product. Our system is also set up to auto return the product if not removed from the tube system within 5 minutes.

Thank you all so much. I wish we could scan badges and/or have drop codes, but we don't ahve that ability until we upgrade.

Our facility uses several of the procedures people have mentioned previously we use secure transactions and have the units returned if the canister is not retrieved within 5 minutes and validate the trip time and temperatures.

In addition to these we also include LDH and K+ levels in our validation for PRBC products and include a small bag of wet ice with every refrigerated product sent via pneumatic tube.