Please update your RDS mobile app to version 4.7.1

We are pleased to advise that deep linking capability, enabling users to directly download individual mobile toolkits, has now been released on the RDS mobile app. When you install the update, you will see that each toolkit has a small QR code icon the header area beside the search icon – see screenshot below. Clicking on this icon will open up a window with a full-size QR code and the alternative of a short URL for sharing with users. Instructions are provided.

You may need to actively install the update to install RDS app version 4.7.1 to see this improvement. Installing this update is also strongly recommended to get the full benefits of the new contingency arrangements – specifically, that if the RDS website should fail, you will still be able to download new mobile app toolkits.

To check your current RDS version, click on the three dots bottom right of the RDS app screen. This takes you to a “More” page where you will see the version number. To install latest updates:

On iPhones – go to the Apple store, click on your profile icon top right, scroll down to see the apps waiting to be updated and update the RDS app.

On Android phones – these can vary, but try going to the Google Play store, click on your profile icon top right, click on “Manage apps and device”, select and update the RDS app.

Please get in touch with ann.wales3@nhs.scot with any questions.

Blood culture sampling checklist

NHS Tayside ED Guidance

Actions

Clean hands, set up workspace
Apply tourniquet, palpate vein, clean with a Clinell (blue) wipe – allow to dry
Remove caps and clean bottle tops with a new Clinell wipe and allow to dry
Put on gloves (non sterile) – do not repalpate the vein
Fill culture bottles before filling any other types of bottle
Fill the green bottle then the red bottle with 5-10m - keep bottles upright during filling.

Method 1 (safest & least likely to be contaminated)

Use a 12 inch Safety-Lok butterfly needle and the blue culture bottle adaptors to aseptically inoculate the bottles directly.

Method 2

Use a butterfly or straight needle to draw blood into a syringe then use same needle to inoculate the bottles.

Method 3 - last resort

Blood cultures should only be taken from a cannula which has been newly-inserted. This should be recorded in the clinical details of the request form and the blood culture bottles should be filled before any other bottles.