Transfusion Medicine Transport of Blood Blood Components and
Transfusion Medicine Transport of Blood, Blood Components and Plasma Protein Products within a Facility BBM Educational Resource Materials for the Training of Facility Transport Personnel
Objective To provide transport staff* a detailed guide to safely and effectively transport blood, blood components and plasma protein products to clinical units for patient use *Eligible staff who may transport blood may differ in each WRHA facility, please check your policy.
Table of Contents Transfusion Standards Blood Product FYI Clinical Requests Product Pick-up Transporting Blood Self Assessment Questions & Answers
Transfusion Standards A facility must have a policy clearly defining the individuals who may transport blood, blood components or plasma protein products. Staff training in the handling and transportation of blood, blood components or plasma protein products shall be completed and documented annually.
Blood Product FYI Red Blood Cell (RBC) Units - Are fragile, can be easily damaged and are an excellent medium for bacterial growth - Must be stored between 1°C and 6°C in a controlled temperature-monitored blood fridge - Must not be placed into a regular fridge i. e. med room fridge, lunch fridge or left on any heating or cooling systems • Platelets - Must be stored between 20°C - 24°C - Must never be placed into a fridge • Plasma Products - Are stored frozen and must be thawed for clinical use - Once thawed, must be used ASAP or stored between 1°C - 6°C • Plasma Protein Products - Must be stored according to manufacturer’s instructions (room temperature or fridge) - Typically stored in glass bottles within a box and are easily broken if shaken or dropped
Blood Product FYI As a member of the transport team, it is important to know blood products require special storage and handling to ensure patients receive the safest possible blood product for their treatment and care. All blood products have time limits when they are removed from storage. Know your time limits! Red Blood Cells, Platelets and Plasma Protein Products MUST be returned ASAP to the blood bank fridge if you are requested to do so by the clinical ward.
Clinical Requests Shared Health form: all clinical requests shall be made using the correct Shared Health form : “Request for Release of Blood and Blood Products” - Verbal orders are not acceptable practice - Requests are considered a priority Patient & Product Identification: All clinical orders for blood products shall positively identify the intended patient and blood product required. This should include: √ √ √ Patient Name (first and last) PHIN – personal health number (9 -digit) Date of birth (dd/mmm/yy) √ √ √ Physician – who ordered the blood? Product requested – what and how much? Location – where is it going? Pick-up Documentation: The transporter must present with documentation at the hospital blood bank when picking up a blood product.
Product Pick-up When picking up blood product from the hospital blood bank ensure you are: - Picking up the right product for the right patient and going to the right location. Confirm the transport order matches the product, location & patient information on the Shared Health Request for Release of Blood and Blood Products form. If unsure, ask! Clinical requests for different blood products for one patient must: - Be placed in separate protective bags, not be mixed in one bag nor come into with one another. contact Clinical requests for multiple* patients at one pick-up time must: - Be clearly separated and identified with patient and location, placed in separate protective bags, not mixed in one bag nor come into contact with one another. *This practice is not recommended but may occur in clinically urgent situations
Product Pick-up Once all information has been confirmed and blood product is ready for transport: – Sign the Lab Log Book on the transporter signature line and/or the Shared Health Request for Release of Blood and Blood Products form as per facility policy. Transport the blood product carefully and directly to the intended location: – Handle all blood products with care Deliver product directly to requesting clinic unit - do not stop to perform additional pick ups or transporter tasks prior to delivering a blood product.
Transporting Blood During transport of a blood product it is important to: 1. Directly transport product from the blood bank/laboratory to the ordering clinical ward without interruption or delay. 2. Not rest or place blood product on any heating or cooling equipment. 3. Not roughly handle (i. e. shake, swing, bang, drop, poke) blood product. 4. Ensure delivery is to the correct location. 5. Physically give the blood product to a clinical ward staff person. 6. The delivery must be acknowledged by the clinical ward staff person. Be Seen! 7. Blood products must never be dropped off and left unattended at a nursing station/clinical ward desk.
Self Assessment Questions & Answers
Q 1. According to transfusion standards transport of blood products within a hospital can be done by: a) Any hospital staff member available to transport, training optional b) Only by trained, defined hospital staff members c) Patient family members d) None of the above
Q 1. Answer The correct answer is: b Only by trained, defined hospital staff members
Q 2. Red blood cell units must be stored: a) Between 1°C - 6°C in a special temperature monitored blood fridge. b) In a fridge, room temperature, cooler, whatever is convenient. c) In a ward refrigerator as long as it contains a thermometer. d) On top of an air conditioner in warm weather or at room temperature during cold weather
Q 2. Answer • The correct answer is: a Between 1°C and 6°C in a special temperature monitored blood fridge
Q 3. When picking up blood from the blood bank, confirming the patient information and order is: a) Essential to ensure the right blood product is picked up for the right patient to the right location b) Not required if the blood has been ordered in advance by the ward c) Only required if they have been provided by the requesting ward. d) Not the responsibility of the person transporting the blood
Q 3. Answer The correct answer is: a a) Essential to ensure the right product right patient right location
Q 4. When transporting a blood product to the ward it is important that a) It is shaken during transport to ensure adequate mixing prior to drop off at the clinical location b) All orders for that clinical location are picked up even if you must make other stops before dropping off the blood product c) It is handled carefully, not shaken and is transported directly to the ward and physically given to and acknowledged by the clinical ward staff member d) You toss it around to mix it, just do not drop it!
Q 4. Answer The correct answer is: c It is handled carefully, not shaken and is transported directly to the ward and physically given and acknowledged by the clinical ward staff member
Thank You If you have any questions please explore the BBM website for other blood education topics and contact information. www. bestbloodmanitoba. ca
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