| Instructions
for use of Bloodloc™ Safety System
Procedures for
Phlebotomists
Please note that patients are wearing a wristband with a three-letter
Bloodloc™ code. This code is unique to each patient for the length of the
hospital stay. Should the patient be readmitted, a new wristband with a
new Bloodloc™ code will be issued. There are over 12,000 codes, and
wrist TABS will be color-coded in batches to ensure that there are never
any duplications in the hospital at any time.
After drawing a specimen for type and
cross, the three-letter Bloodloc™ code is transcribed from wristband to
specimen tube. Care should be taken to print the code in capital letters
and circle it so that there is no confusion with the phlebotomist's
personal initials.
The Blood Bank will accept only specimens
so coded. In the event a specimen is received by the Blood Bank without
an identifying three-letter Bloodloc™ code, the specimen will be rendered
invalid and will be discarded. A fresh sample
will be requested.
Procedures for
Blood Bank personnel
When specimens are received by the Blood Bank they will have,
in addition to the phlebotomist's initials, an identifying three-letter
Bloodloc™ code, printed in capital letters and circled. Specimens without
this code will be rendered invalid and discarded. A request would then
be made for a fresh sample to be drawn and identified correctly.
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The Bloodloc™ code
is to be entered into the patient's current Blood Bank records where it
should be readily accessible to a technician locking up blood. The
following steps are then taken when the blood is ready for dispensing.
- Three-letter Bloodloc™ code is obtained
from patients Blood Bank records for current admission.
- Bloodloc™ is set by lining up
three-letter Bloodloc™ code from left to right, turning each dial
CLOCKWISE, aligning with arrow marked CODE.
- Lock is placed on level surface and
all three dials are engaged by pressing down firmly with palm of
hand on center. A plastic ring will separate from the bottom and is
discarded. Bloodloc™ is not set permanently at this code.
- Matched and typed packed red cells are
placed into the provided outer plastic bag.
- Back of lock is inserted through hole
in bag and front section is pressed firmly together. Dials are
scrambled by turning in either direction. Blood is now ready for
dispensing.
Procedures for
Nurses
Please note that patient's now wear the customary hospital wristband to
which has been added a three-letter code. This code is unique to each
patient for the length of the hospital stay. Should the patient be
readmitted, a new wristband with a new code will be issued. There are
over 12,000 codes, which will be color coded in batches to ensure that
there are never any duplications in the hospital at any time. |
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When packed red
cells are delivered to the floor, the usual checks are performed to
correctly identify the patient.
The RBC units will be issued locked up in
an outer plastic bag. In order to unlock the blood the following steps
must be taken:
- Three-letter Bloodloc™ code is read
from patient's wristband.
- Bloodloc™ dials are turned in either
direction to align the patient's Bloodloc™ code letters from left to
right with the arrow marked CODE.
- Pull Bloodloc™ apart. If the lock does
not open easily, recheck the code. If lock remains closed, assume
there is an error and call the Blood Bank.
- On removal of the unit of blood,
discard the lock and bag.
We suggest eliminating the second person
needed to check the wristband, blood unit and accompanying compatibility
documents since the Bloodloc™ system is a secure system - if the Bloodloc™
will not open, it's a case of wrong blood or wrong patient.
Bloodloc Medical Inc. supplies all of the
components to implement the Bloodloc™ Safety System.
- Lock fronts with 3-lettered dial and lock back
- Outer plastic bags with hole cut out
- Pre-coded wrist TABS.
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