Transfusion Safety: Testing and Issuance
Instructor:
Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service Program Office
Contact Hours:
1.0
Date:
January 01, 2024 - December 31, 2025
Description:
Patient safety in transfusion services. Topics include: Receiving the pre-transfusion specimen, handling and storage of blood products, and issuance procedure.
Learning Objectives:
- Explain the laboratory’s role in reducing patient identification errors within the transfusion process.
- Discuss the possible consequences of mislabeling blood products.
- Describe safety considerations related to compatibility testing and type and screen testing.
- Identify appropriate storage conditions for blood products.
- Explain procedures for the urgent release of blood.
- Establish consistent work practices that prevent laboratory error.
- Demonstrate correct labeling for blood products.
- State the elements that must match on transcription request forms, Caution Tags, and blood unit labels.
- Inspect blood products for unit integrity and quality before release to transfusion facility.