Reducing Specimen Rejections by Combining Bedside Scanning and Barcode Blood Bands

14 May 2012

The University of Virginia (UVA) blood bank transfuses 45,000 blood components a year, including 22,000 RBC units. Since the UVA moved to using Barcode Blood Bands for Pre-Printed Labels, the blood bank staff has seen a dramatic reduction in specimen rejections. This case study describes how the change was implemented.

Blood Bands - Patient Identification

Typenex Medical LLC

Typenex blood bands support patient identification by providing a third unique identifier. Below you’ll find the blood band to fit your approach. Barcode Blood Bands for Pre-Printed Labels The band of choice if you’re concerned about missing patient information or illegible handwriting on your blood bands. Simply place your pre-printed label on the band. A barcoded sticker is applied to the specimen tube. This barcode allows you to easily scan the blood bank ID (BBID) into your Laboratory Information System, avoiding transcription errors, and saving technician time. Barcode Blood Bands for Handwriting Plenty of space for handwriting patient information, and then protecting it. The large BBID makes it quick and easy to check at the bedside, and the barcoded specimen tube labels allow you to easily scan the blood bank ID (BBID) into your Laboratory Information System, avoiding transcription errors while saving technician time. Barcode Blood Bands Use your blood band to provide an additional unique identifier, without the need to write or apply patient information. Barcoded specimen tube labels allow you to easily scan the blood bank ID (BBID) into your Laboratory Information System, avoiding transcription errors while saving technician time. R3 Band The R3 Band allows for reattaching or resizing any Typenex Barcode Blood Band, in the event that the blood band must be cut off in preparation for surgery, or for patients with edema, for example. FlexiBlood Bands and Forms Designed with durability and safety in mind, the Flexi Band will last for 7 or more days, and provides a blood bank ID (BBID) in both alphanumeric and barcode form, so you can scan the BBID into your Laboratory Information System, reducing chance of transcription errors while saving technician time. Original Bands The first blood band designed specifically for transfusion patients, the Original Band offers simple prompts for handwriting patient information.

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Blood TransfusionBlood Transfusion involves giving donor blood to a recipient patient. Screening is essential to avoid transfusion reactions. Blood banks use immunohematological techniques to determine rh and ABO blood group, and screen for antibodies using specific antisera. Blood Banks use Direct Coombs Tests (DCT) and Indirect Coombs Tests (IAT) to detect hemolysis and Haemolytic Disease of the Newborn (HDN).Point-of-CarePoint-of-Care Testing (POCT) or Near Patient Testing (NPT) products are available for urine, blood and other clinical chemistry analyses. POCT includes: blood glucose testing, blood gas and electrolytes analysis, rapid coagulation testing (PT / INR), rapid cardiac markers diagnostics, drugs of abuse screening, urine strips testing, pregnancy testing, fecal occult blood analysis, food pathogens screening, hemoglobin diagnostics, infectious disease testing and cholesterol screening.Robotic InstrumentsRobotic instruments can be used for high-throughput automation of many lab processes. Such processes use instruments for assays like cell based assays and ELISA, for sample preparation like shakers, centrifuges and incubators, and for analysis such as sequencing and western blot analyzers. Useful features of robotic instruments include speed, reproducibility, barcode readers, software and automation.