Blood sample labelling requirements?

[Liann]

I work in a hospital transfusion service and we are revising the sample labelling policy. We currently require : Pt full name, ID#,date and the initials of the person drawing the sample. A significant number of samples arrive lacking at least one of these identifiers. We have allowed the staff member who drew the tube to come to the Blood Bank to fix the label, but our medical director wants to change the policy and require a new sample to be drawn if the first is lacking ANY of the 4 requirements.

What is the policy at other facilities? I expect much wailing and gnashing of teeth if I throw away a sample from the ER or NICU for labelling deficiencies....

[Liann]

Well said, La VorneRN!!! If only all staff felt the same as you , our jobs would be so much easier.......

[LaVorneRN]

Originally posted by Liann

Well said, La VorneRN!!! If only all staff felt the same as you , our jobs would be so much easier.......

Why thank you,Liann:p I would most definately have to agree with you as well.

Just speaking from experience. peace and blessings

[Liann]

Well, our sample labelling policy went into effect on June 2, and since it has been a month now, I thought I'd update y'all.

Much wailing and gnashing of teeth later, the ER and Labor/Delivery STILL cant remember how to label a sample. We keep a log of requests for recollect and those 2 places are just impossible.

I worked last Sunday and had an ER nurse beg me to accept her specimen because SHE had dropped and broken the first, sent me the second draw(which was missing the MR # AND did not have the nurses name on it) and could not bear to stick the old lady a THIRD time. I refused to accept it, and she gave me umpteen reasons why she didnt know the policy...she was casual, she didnt read the memo, she was busy, etc. What a nightmare. Why am I the bad guy because I insist on people DOING their JOB.......

Had to vent....I am hanging in there...

[purplemania, BSN, RN]

labeling for transfusions is part of our annual competency review. Instructions can be posted on the unit for reference. We must have name, ID#, name of phlebotomist (or nurse who draws blood) and date. These are required and specimens will NOT BE ACCEPTED if not properly labeled. It ain't that big of a deal to do it right.

[Liann]

Too true. I am sure that if I sent a unit of blood down to the ER that was missing half of the MR# and didnt have MY initials on it, that same nurse would refuse to hang it AND would write me up, as well.

I am busy, too. I dont ask of anyone what I do not require from myself.