Annals of Clinical Pathology Cite this article: Rjoop A, Sanderson K, Booker V, Hopper D, Olgaard E (2018) Unique Model for Intraoperative Cell Salvage Staffng. Ann Clin Pathol 6(4): 1146. Central Bringing Excellence in Open Access   *Corresponding author Ericka Olgaard, Laboratory and Pathology Service Line, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W. Markham St., Slot 517, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA; Tel: 1-501-686-7966; Fax: 1-501-296-1184; Email: Submitted: 01 October 2018 Accepted: 31 October 2018 Published: 31 October 2018 ISSN: 2373-9282 Copyright © 2018 Olgaard et al. OPEN ACCESS Keywords • Intraoperative cell salvage • Cell Saver • Autotransfusion • Staffng Short Communication Unique Model for Intraoperative Cell Salvage Staffng Anwar Rjoop, Kimberley Sanderson, Victoria Booker, Diane Hopper and Ericka Olgaard* Laboratory and Pathology Service Line, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, USA Abstract Staffng intraoperative cell salvage (ICS) services can be challenging for the laboratory today. At our academic medical center, staffng levels made it diffcult to use blood bank technologists to support ICS procedures. We therefore developed a fexible staffng model utilizing the Laboratory Support Services (LSS) personnel to provide 24/7 ICS service. In an era with a laboratory technologist shortage and when laboratories must continuously demonstrate value to the hospital, using this group of laboratory employees can be a way to deliver consistent and timely ICS service. When planning for staffng it is important to interact with surgical services on a regular basis as surgical practices change. ABBREVIATIONS ICS: Intraoperative Cell Salvage; OR: operating room; LSS: Laboratory Support Services INTRODUCTION Intraoperative cell salvage (ICS), is a common procedure used to limit the need for allogeneic blood products that carries risk for infectious disease transmission, anapylaxis and potentially life-threatening reactions to newly developed antibodies [1,2]. Although many studies have shown that routine use of ICS is not necessarily cost effective, and the cost of autologous blood products is often less than the cost of the instrument, kit, and staff to perform it [3], ICS is still a necessary service in some settings, especially for those unable or unwilling to do pre-operative autologous donation or receive allogeneic blood transfusions. At the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), ICS is commonly utilized in a variety of surgeries, including trauma, vascular, organ transplant, orthopedic, and gynecologic. UAMS houses the city’s only Level 1 trauma center and liver transplant center. The ICS service was traditionally staffed by members of the blood bank and transfusion services. However, as staffing levels fell they did not consistently have staff available who could leave their duties in the blood bank to spend hours in the OR providing ICS services, leading to a decrease in the number of cases served and complaints by the surgical services. The clinical laboratory leaders therefore searched for an alternative in order to maintain ICS services as a benefit to surgeons and patients. Here we report this unique staffing model which we believe will be helpful to others in meeting the needs and expectations of a hospital ICS service [4]. MATERIALS AND METHODS Laboratory Support Service (LSS) technicians at UAMS provide continuous coverage for specimen receiving and initial processing in the clinical laboratory. Qualifications for LSS include at least a high school diploma with two years of laboratory work experience. LSS staff covers all three shifts in the laboratory every day of the week and given the wide array of duties assigned, have the most perceived flexibility in scheduling. Review of accreditation standards showed that although ICS services are commonly provided by blood bank technologists, certified registered nurse anesthesiologists (CRNA) or certified transfusionists, well-trained LSS technicians met all requirements for performing ICS. 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 Number of ICS Month ICS Performed at UAMS LSS Transiton OR Educaton Figure 1 The monthly volumes of ICS performed. Prior to transition to LSS, there were an average of 2 or fewer ICS performed monthly. Most recent volumes range from 7 to 15 per month.