Why you should double-check the names of the patient while sending to blood bank!?

What’s in a name? Nothing much, but it can save lives.
Or at Atleast prevents preventable deaths!

Do you think a mistake in name can lead to the demise of your patient?
Let me give you some clues.

Mistaken Identity. Mistaken Blood group sample sent. Mistaken Blood transfusion.
Transfusion Reactions.
RIP.

Then what?
Maybe nobody knows the cause and it’s forgotten.
Or worse this can very well get converted into Medico-Legal Case, and one may be charged since it very well comes under medical negligence.

Some of my fellow newbie interns,

1. Always check the list of patients admitted to your unit/ward.
   It may very well happen that there are multiple patients with the same name.
   Be very careful in such scenarios!
   There is a very high chance of blood samples getting mixed up.
   In such cases do write the whole name or maybe just their initials.
   
   
2. Always double-check the name and registration number of your patient while sending it to the Blood bank.
   
   
3. Always read the file of your patient.
   If not the entire file, at least read the first page of the file, to get to know about the case and the reason you are sampling.
   
   
4. Always call out your patient’s name!
   Don’t just blindly go to some bed after asking your co-intern/staff/resident and start collecting blood like a machine.
   Talk to your patient.
   Listen to them.
   At the back of your mind, cross-check whether it’s the same patient.
   
   
5.  Always have compos mentis.
   Whether you are on Emergency or Casualty, or even ward duty, always be calm and be present in the moment.
   Be conscious of what you are doing.
   
   

These are little things, which may big time saviour for you and your patient.
Have you got any more ideas/habits/suggestions to add?
Be my guest, and tell me:)

Till then,
Stay happie, Stay Alive.