Blood Collection Recording: Ensuring Patient Safety During the Holiday Season

O final do ano é uma época de festas, celebrações e viagens, mas também um período desafiador para os serviços de saúde e coletas de sangue.

Despite the increased need for blood due to seasonal emergencies such as traffic accidents, donations tend to decrease. In this scenario, ensuring that each blood collection is properly recorded in the system is essential to ensure patient safety and quality of care.

Por que o registro da coleta de sangue é importante?

Registrar corretamente cada coleta de sangue é mais do que uma etapa administrativa; é um cuidado que reflete diretamente na experiência do paciente e na precisão dos resultados. Um registro bem-feito assegura:

• Efficient tracking: Allows you to identify each sample and ensure that it is correctly associated with the patient and the requested test.
• Error prevention: Reduces the risk of confusion between samples, which can compromise diagnoses or treatments.
• Diagnostic Confidence: Ensures that all necessary information is available for accurate analysis.
• Continuity of care: Facilitates follow-up in future consultations, maintaining the patient's complete history.

Challenges during the festive period

The increase in emergencies and the reduction in donors puts additional pressure on collection and registration teams. This can lead to situations such as:

• Samples collected without proper identification.
• Incomplete records, making it difficult to track tests.
• Lack of integration between collection teams and laboratories.

Good practices to ensure security

1. Use integrated and automated systems: Digital tools allow you to record collections in real time, reducing errors and facilitating the sharing of information between sectors.
2. Prioritize correct identification: Each sample must be clearly labeled with the patient's name, registration number and type of test requested.
3. Train staff regularly: Even during busy times, reinforcing the importance of accurate record-keeping ensures everyone follows established protocols.
4. Perform continuous reviews: Small audits throughout the day can identify issues before they impact workflow or service.

Conclusion

The holiday season presents an opportunity to showcase excellence in patient care, even amid high demand. Ensuring that all blood draws are recorded accurately is a critical safety measure that protects the integrity of care and strengthens trust between patients and healthcare professionals.

In this period of challenges and celebrations, remember: a well-made record is the first step towards saving lives and promoting quality care!