Giving blood without an ID bracelet or Consent

I gave blood a couple of months ago without an ID band and I knew better. Myself and another nurse checked the chart for the order from md, labs, consent, compared the blood with the paperwork, then we were getting ready to compare the blood to the ID band on the pt when I noticed that the patient didnot have one. I immediately checked the chart to see if it may have fallen off the patient or if someone may have put it in the chart. The bracelet was not there. I let the charge nurse know and told her that I wanted to call the supervisor and she said to just get a sticker and put it on a band. They evidently do this all the time here. I argued with her about her knowing that this was not right and the if anything happened I could lose my license and possibly kill somebody. The original nurse who was checking the blood with me decided that she didnt want to go through with it, which I understood, so I tell the charge nurse, since she says its ok, she needs to sign. The pt was losing alot of blood and really needed the blood that night. I had given him blood a couple of nights before and knew him, but I am always strict with the rules. I have never been so ****** off. You never know where the sample of blood may have come from. At this hospital that I work in, it takes hours for the courier to bring and take blood back to any place. Anyway the next day, I tell the nurse who always thinks she is super nurse that the pt didnt have a ID band on to check the blood last night, she claims it fell off. I know that was a lie because I looked everywhere in his room and on him. Usually when you ask her to get something for a pt and the next night you come in she still don't have it done . This time she got that ID band printed and placed on the pt because she knew she was wrong. This is a specialty hospital in DC and there is always something going on. A month ago, two nurses gave blood without a consent. One decided to quit because she thought the manager was gonna fire her. I need to find another job before I lose my license in this place.
I thought giving blood without consent is battery. Is it not? Good luck on your job search.

Quote from canchaserI thought giving blood without consent is battery. Is it not? Good luck on your job search.

How did she just print one and put it on the pt.. I am confused.. At my hospital, lab comes up for the type and screen and only they can put the blood band on.. No reprinting.. If it falls off or missing a new type and screen is needed.. I would not give blood without a band, or consent outside a trauma..

^Not all hospitals do the blood band thing. What's the difference between a specially printed armband and putting a pt id sticker on a band? If they have something connected to them that has their name on it, that's the important thing. It's not like the printed armband has DNA identification and will melt if put on the wrong person.

I"m sorry - I'm confused. did you give the blood or not? If you gave the blood without an ID band on, why are you so angry with anyone. If you didn't give the blood did someone else and that is why you are so upset?You say that another nurse replaced the ID band - what is the protocal in your hospital about replacing ID bands?You say that you are going to quit because you are worried about losing your license due to problems like this, yet it seems like you are part of the problem too.I have to add that we don't have blood bands at my hospital - is this is what was missing?

That's why I said at my hospital.. Each hospital/state is different.. If your hospital doesn't use the infamous blood bands, why didn't you print it off and put it on the pt yourself once you noticed it was missing?

Quote from wooh^Not all hospitals do the blood band thing. What's the difference between a specially printed armband and putting a pt id sticker on a band? If they have something connected to them that has their name on it, that's the important thing. It's not like the printed armband has DNA identification and will melt if put on the wrong person.

Quote from wooh^Not all hospitals do the blood band thing. What's the difference between a specially printed armband and putting a pt id sticker on a band? If they have something connected to them that has their name on it, that's the important thing. It's not like the printed armband has DNA identification and will melt if put on the wrong person.

Quote from wooh^Not all hospitals do the blood band thing. What's the difference between a specially printed armband and putting a pt id sticker on a band? If they have something connected to them that has their name on it, that's the important thing. It's not like the printed armband has DNA identification and will melt if put on the wrong person.

Not all hospitals do the blood band though. It sounds like OP's doesn't, because I've never known a hospital that uses blood bands that would let anyone "print" another one. And apparently another nurse did print another band of some sort. Since they could do that, it sounds like it's a regular ID band.

At my hospital (and several others that I have worked at) do not use the blood band. We use their regular id band. We match the the name and MRN and the date of birth. We never have had a problem with niot using blood bands, and infact with some pt's getting multiple blood transfusions during the course of an admission, there would be too many blood bands on if they used them since it seems no one ever thinks to remove old unneeded bands.

"In the situation of major trauma where a patient can't be T&M fast enough, one of the 'O' types of blood can be given (I can't remember if it is + or -)"O negative... I'm hoping everyone and anyone that gives blood would know that. Especially during an emergency. Nick.