Site content by Zac Bergner, Transfusion Medicine Division
Comments? email zbergne1@jhmi.edu
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ORDERING BLOOD PRODUCTS
| Ordering blood products: The easiest and most direct way to order blood products
is to call Transfusion Medicine. It is very easy for us to take your order over the phone.
We can also inform you when your products will be ready and address any other issues you may have. |
| A Fax Request to Tube Blood Products is NOT a valid order to prepare blood products! |
Note to Oncology Floors:
Pheresis platelets and Red Blood Cells are currently being ordered and requested through the OCIS blood ordering terminals. This system was implemented by the Oncology Department and allows the clinical unit and blood bank to coordinate requests for platelets and red blood cells without using the phone or fax machine. Should other products, such as fresh frozen plasma, be prescribed, see the instruction below. Any problems or questions about the use of the OCIS blood ordering terminals should be directed to your charge nurse or the OCIS Help Desk at 5-OCIS.
Note to POE users:
If your clinical unit uses Physician Order Entry (POE), you should continue to do so for product orders. This capability is available to a handful of floors for the time being, but may be expanded in the future.
How do I order red blood cells?
Call Transfusion Medicine. Be prepared to give them the patient history number and the doctor's name and provider code. Several factors can affect the availability of red blood cells; checking with the TM staff is the best way to get all the information you need. The staff can take your order over the phone, and let you know if there is a current sample and when the red cells will be ready.
Do not fax a copy of the physician order sheet.
| A Fax Request to Tube Blood Products is NOT a valid order to prepare blood products! |
How long does it take to prepare red blood cells?
If the patient has a current sample and a negative antibody screen (which most patients do), then most crossmatches can be done in a matter of minutes.
However, if your patient has antibodies or other complications, crossmatch compatible blood will take longer to prepare. The TM staff can explain how long each case will take.
How long will red blood cells be held for my patient?
Crossmatched red blood cells will be held for 24 hours. The units are then returned to our general inventory.
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How do I order fresh frozen plasma?
Call Transfusion Medicine. The staff will take the order over the phone and let you know when the units will be ready. Fresh frozen plasma (FFP) must be thawed in a 37° waterbath. This usually takes about 30 minutes.
FFP has only a 24-hour shelf life, therefore, it is best ordered the same day it will be used.
Do not fax a copy of the physician order sheet.
| A Fax Request to Tube Blood Products is NOT a valid order to prepare blood products! |
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How do I order platelets?
EFFECTIVE JULY 1ST, 2005
All patients requiring platelet transfusion need the approval of the Platelet
Transfusion Coordinator on-call. Page 3-9792
Except for patients in:
These locations can call the lab directly at 5-6580.
Oncology floors:
Orders for pheresis platelets should be obtained through the OCIS blood ordering terminals. The Transfusion Coordinator on Call for your service will be responsible for placing a product assignment in OCIS for your patient. Please use as you would normally.
| A Fax Request to Tube Blood Products is NOT a valid order to prepare blood products! |
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How do I arrange for cryoprecipitate or coagulation factor replacement?
Please consult the Transfusion Medicine resident to arrange for these products. The resident will then contact the laboratory to have the products prepared, if indicated.
Cryoprecipitate:
Cryoprecipitate routinely takes 45 minutes to prepare. Preparing pooled cryoprecipitate is labor-intensive and the finished product has only a four-hour expiration. Therefore, cryoprecipitate is only prepared once the need has been clearly established by the TM resident.
Factor Replacement:
If the patient will be put on a q-schedule (i.e.: continuous infusion, drip, etc.), the resident will inform us of the dose size, frequency, and duration. You can then retrieve the approved factor at the prescribed times until the schedule is complete.
For example:
Patient John Doe is approved for Factor VIII q12 for 4 days. The dose size is 3000 International Units per dose. A schedule will be prepared by the Transfusion Medicine staff and 3000 International Units of Factor VIII can be picked up from TM every 12 hours for 4 days.
If further doses are needed, or you wish to modify or cancel a q-schedule, please notify Transfusion Medicine.
For more information, please click here to view the Nursing Factor Replacement Protocol.
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My patient wants to know about donating Autologous or Directed Blood, who do I call?
Please contact Michelle Lang, Autologous/Directed Coordinator at 5x6528.
| A Fax Request to Tube Blood Products is NOT a valid order to prepare blood products! |
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