Improving Patient Safety with FinalCheck – Reducing Transfusion Errors

14 May 2012

This case study follows the experience of Boulder Community Hospital (BCH) as they upgraded their existing mechanical transfusion barrier system, for the Final-Check™ Recipient Safety System. The installation of a mechanical barrier has had a positive impact in addressing both wrong-blood-in-tube (WBIT) and “wrong patient – wrong room” potential mistransfusions. The old system was difficult to manage and so the new Typenex system was chosen to replace it. Read more to discover the impact of the project on blood bank, physicians and nursing staff.

FinalCheck Recipient Safety System

Typenex Medical LLC

FinalCheck is an easy-to-use mechanical barrier system designed to help reduce blood transfusion errors associated with patient identification. It provides a physical barrier – a lock – that can only be opened using a code on the patient’s admissions band. The Challenge Knowing the steps required for proper patient identification is a given. Completing these steps consistently is a practical challenge. According to a CAP study of 660 hospitals1, all required patient ID steps were completed in only 1 of 4 transfusion cases. Read this CAP Q-Probes study. The Solution FinalCheck provides a physical barrier to the blood component. Only the FinalCheck code on the admissions band of the patient (intended for the transfusion) will open the locked component. This means peace of mind in the blood bank that the final bedside check is performed, and confidence for the transfusionist that the blood issued is going to the right patient.

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Blood Bands - Patient Identification

Typenex Medical LLC

Typenex blood bands support patient identification by providing a third unique identifier. Below you’ll find the blood band to fit your approach. Barcode Blood Bands for Pre-Printed Labels The band of choice if you’re concerned about missing patient information or illegible handwriting on your blood bands. Simply place your pre-printed label on the band. A barcoded sticker is applied to the specimen tube. This barcode allows you to easily scan the blood bank ID (BBID) into your Laboratory Information System, avoiding transcription errors, and saving technician time. Barcode Blood Bands for Handwriting Plenty of space for handwriting patient information, and then protecting it. The large BBID makes it quick and easy to check at the bedside, and the barcoded specimen tube labels allow you to easily scan the blood bank ID (BBID) into your Laboratory Information System, avoiding transcription errors while saving technician time. Barcode Blood Bands Use your blood band to provide an additional unique identifier, without the need to write or apply patient information. Barcoded specimen tube labels allow you to easily scan the blood bank ID (BBID) into your Laboratory Information System, avoiding transcription errors while saving technician time. R3 Band The R3 Band allows for reattaching or resizing any Typenex Barcode Blood Band, in the event that the blood band must be cut off in preparation for surgery, or for patients with edema, for example. FlexiBlood Bands and Forms Designed with durability and safety in mind, the Flexi Band will last for 7 or more days, and provides a blood bank ID (BBID) in both alphanumeric and barcode form, so you can scan the BBID into your Laboratory Information System, reducing chance of transcription errors while saving technician time. Original Bands The first blood band designed specifically for transfusion patients, the Original Band offers simple prompts for handwriting patient information.

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Improving Patient Safety with FinalCheck – Reducing Transfusion Errors