Medical services
Terms and Definitions
| Term | Description |
| Blood Component Unit Verification |
Process to ensure the correct component is administered to the correct patient, in the correct amount, that the expiration times are not exceeded, and that the unit is normal in appearance. |
| Hospital Links | Web-based application developed by the Bloodworks Northwest to provide authorized users at contracted hospitals and medical facilities immediate online access to patient blood orders and laboratory results. Visit Hospital Links. |
| Informed Consent | Process conducted by the ordering provider to ensure the patient is informed before receiving blood components. A description of the blood components, associated risks and benefits, alternatives to transfusion, including no transfusion, and the opportunity to ask questions and obtain satisfactory answers are key elements of this process. |
| Transfusion Reaction | Any adverse event which occurs during or following a blood component transfusion. |
| Transfusion Report | Form attached to blood component to identify recipient and provide blood component information. One portion (Chart Record) of the report is signed by transfusionist and 2nd verifier and maintained in the patient record. The other portion (Unit Record) remains attached to the blood component throughout the transfusion. |
| Verification of Delivery Process |
Process that occurs when a blood component is delivered from one individual to another to ensure that the correct blood component, for the correct patient is being delivered / received. |
| Verification at the Time of Administration |
Process of two-person verification (one of whom must be the transfusionist) immediately prior to administration at the bedside. |
| Transfusion Assessment | Patient assessment performed by transfusionist no more than 30 minutes prior to initiation of transfusion, 15 minutes after initiation, at completion, and 1 hour post transfusion to gather appropriate data in order to evaluate response and potential adverse events. The following tasks are performed at each assessment.
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| Reaction Assessment | Patient assessment performed by transfusionist at least every 30 minutes throughout transfusion to evaluate for possible transfusion reaction. Includes checking the patient for the following signs or symptoms of a reaction including:
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