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Due to a critical situation, blood and blood products may be transferred directly from one hospital to another without blood center involvement in packaging or delivery. In these situations, blood and blood products must be handled appropriately to prevent damage to the contents. Also, the Blood Center must be notified of the transfer so that the blood component is tracked to final disposition.
Packaging Blood Products for Shipment
Place products for shipment into an insulated box or chest designed to maintain temperature. Place sufficient refrigerant to ensure appropriate temperature is maintained during transport. If frozen products are being transported, use dry ice to maintain temperature. For refrigerated products, use wet ice sealed in plastic bag(s) or other suitable refrigerant designed to maintain a shipping temperature of 1-10C. Wet ice should be separated from blood products by a thin layer of paper toweling or foam sheeting. If platelets are being transported, package to maintain a temperature of 20-24C.
The sending hospital must complete LifeShare Blood Centers Form S-66, "Hospital to Hospital Transfer of Blood". See side 2 of this form for instructions. This form is to accompany the transferred products.
The receiving hospital should determine the temperature of all products transferred upon arrival to ensure a quality product. Document arrival temperature by completing information enclosed in a "box" on the "Hospital to Hospital Transfer of Blood" form (Form S-66). Please note that return of products transferred for credit will not be allowed if the temperature is not documented and found acceptable.
Documenting the Transfer
The sending facility should fax a copy of the S-66, "Hospital to Hospital Transfer of Blood" to the local Hospital Services department as soon as possible to notify LifeShare of the transfer.
The receiving facility should fax a copy of the completed S-66 "Hospital to Hospital Transfer of Blood" to the local Hospital Services department with temperature documentation and signatures. |
