Transfusion Medicine

Transport of Blood, Blood Components and Derivatives within a Facility

DSM Educational Resource Materials for the Training of Facility Transport Personnel

Objective

To provide transport staff with a detailed guide to safely and effectively transport blood products to clinical units for patient use

Table of Contents

Transfusion StandardsBlood Product FYIClinical RequestsProduct Pick UpTransporting BloodSelf Assessment Questions & Answers

Transfusion Standards

Transfusion Standards

Facility policy must be in place that clearly defines individuals who may transport blood, blood components or derivativesStaff training in the handling and transportation of blood, blood components or derivatives shall be completed and documented.

Blood Product FYI

Blood Product FYIAs a member of the transport team it is important to know that blood products require special storage and handling.

This is 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

Important: RBC units, Platelets and Plasma products MUST be returned ASAP to the blood bank/laboratory if you are requested to do so by the clinical ward

Blood Product FYI Red Blood Cell (RBC) Units

Are fragile, can be easily damaged and are an excellent medium for bacterial growthMust be stored between 1°C and 6°C, in special temperature-monitored blood fridges

RBC units must not be placed into a ward fridge, vaccine fridge or any other fridge that is not a designated blood fridge or left on heating or cooling systems

PlateletsMust be stored between 20°C - 24°C Must never be placed into a fridge

Plasma ProductsAre stored frozen and must be thawed for clinical useOnce thawed must be used ASAP or stored between 1°C - 6°C

DerivativesMust be stored according to manufacturer criteria (room temperature or fridge)Typically are in glass bottles within a box and are easily broken if shaken or dropped

Clinical Requests

Clinical RequestsAll clinical requests shall be written using the DSM Request for Release of Blood and Blood Products

Verbal orders are not acceptable practiceRequests are considered a priority

All clinical orders for blood products shall positively identify the intended patient and blood product required. This includes:

Patient name (first & last names)PHIN/PHN (Personal Health Number) or other unique identifier (Hospital #)Date of Birth (DOB)Order (type of product/how much)PhysicianLocation

Documentation must be presented at the hospital blood bank/laboratory when picking up a blood product.

Written requests may be faxed directly from the clinical ward to the hospital blood bank/laboratory or transport personnel may bring it with them.

Product Pick Up

Product Pick UpWhen picking up blood product from the hospital blood bank/laboratory ensure you are:

Picking up the right product for the right patient to go to the right location

Confirm your transport order matches the location & patient information on the DSM Request for Release of Blood and Blood Products

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 contact with one another

Clinical requests for multiple patients at one pick up time must:

Clearly separated and identified with patient and location, placed in separate protective bag, not mixed in one bag nor come into contact with one anotherNote: This practice is not recommended but may occur in clinically urgent situations

Product Pick UpOnce 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 DSM Request for Release of Blood and Blood Products as per facility policy

Transport the blood product carefully and directly to the intended location

Do not aggressively handle blood products Do not stop to perform additional pick ups or transporter tasks prior to delivering a blood product

Transporting Blood

Transporting Blood ProductDuring transport of a blood product it is important to:

Directly transport from the blood bank/laboratory to the ordering clinical ward without interruption or delayNot rest or place blood product on any heating or cooling equipmentNot roughly handle (i.e. shake, swing, bang, drop)

Ensure delivery is to the correct locationPhysically give the blood product to a clinical ward staff person

The delivery must be acknowledged by the clinical ward staff person

Blood products must never be dropped off and left unattended at a nursing station/clinical ward desk.

Self Assessment Questions & Answers

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 membersd) None of the above

Answer

The correct answer is: b) Only by trained, defined hospital

staff members

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

Answer

The correct answer is:a) Between 1°C and 6°C in a special

temperature monitored blood fridge

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

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

Answer

The correct answer is:a) Essential to ensure the right

product is collected for the right patient

When transporting a red blood cell unit to the ward it is important that:

a) It is shaken during transport to ensure adequate mixing prior to drop off at clinical location

b) All orders for that clinical location are picked up even if it means stopping at multiple locations before dropping of the red blood cell unit

c) It is handled carefully, not shaken and is transported directly to the ward and physically give to a clinical ward staff member

d) If it is tossed up and down, that it is not dropped

Answer

The correct answer is:c) It is handled carefully, not shaken

and is transported directly to the ward and physically given to a clinical ward staff member

Thank You

Questions?Contact your site Blood Bank

DSM Contacts

Brenda Herdman, Transfusion Medicine Technical Directorbherdman@dsmanitoba.ca 237-2707