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Improvement in transfusion safety using a new blood unit and patient identification system as part of safe transfusion practice
Author(s) -
Wenz B.,
Burns E. R.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
transfusion
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.045
H-Index - 132
eISSN - 1537-2995
pISSN - 0041-1132
DOI - 10.1046/j.1537-2995.1991.31591263193.x
Subject(s) - medicine , identification (biology) , blood product , medical emergency , blood transfusion , intensive care medicine , unit (ring theory) , blood units , emergency medicine , surgery , psychology , botany , mathematics education , biology
A new patient and blood unit identification system designed to confirm the identity of crossmatched blood products and that of the intended recipient was evaluated. Six hundred seventy‐two red cell concentrates were transfused to 312 patients. Participating hospital personnel and patients were interviewed regarding the use and benefit of this unique system, which incorporates a “lock‐box” approach to the identification process. The product and procedure were accepted unanimously and enthusiastically, and three potential mistransfusions were avoided by use of the system during the limited period of observation. This type of approach to the identification process affords greater security than conventional practices and minimally burdens staff.