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Pre-Transfusion Testing

RTSIS Card

A Regional Transfusion Service Identification System (RTSIS) card must accompany pre-transfusion testing sent to the lab.  The person collecting the specimens must fill out the RTSIS card.

The RTSIS card is filled out before beginning the patient identification process.

 




The person collecting the specimens must fill out the patient RHRN, full name, and date of birth.

Patient Self-identification

Following proper steps for patient identification for pre-transfusion testing is critical.

All patients who are over the age of 16, and are able to, must spell their first and last names as well as state their date of birth.  If the patient is able to do all of these things, the collector should check off the box:

• Patient Identified by Him/Herself (box) or: _____________

Family Member Identification

If a patient is under the age of 16 or is unable to self-identify himself or herself, but a family member is available, the family member may spell the patient's first and last name and state the patient's date of birth.  If a family member is identifying the patient, they must sign and print their name and relationship to the patient on the RTSIS card on the line:

• Patient Identified by Him/Herself (box) or: _____________

RN Identification

If the patient or a family member is unable or unavailable to identify the patient, an RN other than the one collecting the sample must identify the patient and sign and print their job title on the RTSIS care on the line:

• Patient Identified by Him/Herself (box) or: _____________

The collector must also sign their name on the line:  "Specimens Drawn By: ______________" and include the collection date and time.

Labelling Specimens

• All specimens sent to the lab for pre-transfusion testing must have the RTSIS number on each tube.
• There are two tube labels on the RTSIS card that have space for the patient RHRN number, full name as well as collection date and time.
• These labels contain the RTSIS number and must be completely filled out and placed on the pre-transfusion specimens.

• If you are unable to use the RTSIS tube labels, one of the small numbered stickers on the RTSIS card may be used on each pre-transfusion specimen along with a separate patient identification label.
• The alternate patient ID label must meet minimum labelling requirements.

Banding the Patient

Once the specimens have been collected and labelled with the RTSIS number:

• the band on the bottom of the RTSIS card must be filled out with the collection date, removed from the RTSIS card, inserted in a yellow plastic band and placed on the patient's arm.

RTSIS Verification

When identifying the patient, the patient name and RHRN must be compared with that on the permanent section of the RTSIS card.  The patient identification must match the information on the RTSIS card.

Specimen Rejection

There are no exceptions for re-labelling Transfusion Medicine specimens.

A recollection will be required:

• If the patient identification on the tube and RTSIS card is incomplete or does not match.  The patient's yellow band will also need to be replaced with a new band.
• If the RTSIS red stickers are missing from the tubes.
• If the patient was not banded (i.e. band insert was sent to the lab along with the RTSIS card).  A new RTSIS card will have to be filled out and the new band insert placed on the patient.

Considerations

Expiry Dates of Pre-Transfusion Testing

• Valid for 96 hours* from the date and time a type and screen was collected.
• Before ordering pre-transfusion testing or blood products, check if the patient has in-date pre-transfusion testing.
• The expiry date (cancellation date) can be found in SCM or on the printed Transfusion Medicine chart results.

* Type and screens performed on neonates, or done preoperatively in pre-admission, may have differing expiry dates.


  When in doubt, call Transfusion Medicine.

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