What is the correct procedure for a Health Unit Clerk to follow when picking up blood for two different patients from the blood bank? Question 13 options: Pick up both blood units at the same time without checking patient information Ensure each patient’s identification and order are verified separately before picking up the blood for each patient separately Only pick up the blood for the first patient and return later for the second Collect blood for both patients under one patient ID to save time
The correct procedure for a Health Unit Clerk to follow when picking up blood for two different patients from the blood bank is:
Ensure each patient’s identification and order are verified separately before picking up the blood for each patient separately.
Explanation:
Patient Safety: Verification of patient information is critical to ensure that the correct blood type is administered to the right patient. This prevents potential transfusion reactions and other complications that could arise from mismatched blood.
Protocol Compliance: Healthcare facilities have strict protocols in place for handling blood products. Each patient’s blood must be verified against their specific order to ensure compliance with these protocols.
Preventing Errors: By checking the identification and order separately for each patient, the clerk helps prevent errors that could occur if blood for multiple patients is handled simultaneously without proper checks.
Documentation: Proper documentation of the blood pick-up process is also essential for tracking and accountability. Each unit of blood should be traceable back to the specific patient for whom it is intended.
In summary, the Health Unit Clerk should always prioritize patient safety by ensuring a thorough verification process for each individual patient before handling blood products.