Blood collection and delivery
Appropriate checking procedures when collecting blood products reduces the risk of transfusion of the wrong blood to the wrong patient.
Collection or delivery may occur from the following:
- Transfusion Service Provider
- validated blood shipper
- pneumatic tube
- remote blood fridge
Before blood products are collected, both the patient and the staff must be adequately prepared to start the transfusion process without delay.
Always remember to:
- Collect one pack at a time (except in an emergency) to avoid wastage and reduce the risk of wrong transfusion.
- Take documented patient details and product type to collect pack.
- Ensure all patient identification details, including first name, family name, DOB, and medical record number (or approved 3rd identifier as per local policy), match the details on the compatibility label.
- Ensure that you have collected the blood product that has been prescribed.
- Ensure the pack is within expiry date and time and check for any visible leaks at ports and seams, and that there is no evidence of haemolysis, unusual discolouration, cloudiness or visible clots.
- Ensure the attached compatibility label has the same donation number as the component label.
- Ensure all documentation for the removal/collection of the blood product has been completed either in the register or electronic system as per local processes, for the purposes of tracking.
- If any discrepancies arise, do not proceed and contact the Transfusion Service Provider.
On arrival of the blood product at the clinical area, an appropriately trained staff member should confirm that the correct blood product has been delivered. (ANZSBT Administration Guidelines)
Health service providers need to have policies and training on safe collection processes and the policy should identify local roles and responsibilities.
