Blood Transfusion

- Blood transfusion is the process of transferring blood products into one's circulation
intravenously. Transfusions are used for various medical conditions to replace lost components
of the blood

Purpose:

 Blood transfusions work to replace blood that is lost due to injury or surgery. People can also get
blood transfusions to treat certain medical conditions.

Principles:

 The recipient's serum should not contain antigens against the donor's antibodies. The recipient's
serum should not contain the antibodies against the red blood corpuscles of the donor.

Equipment:

 IV access. Blood components may be provided through a number of central venous access

devices (CVAD) or peripheral intravenous catheters. You might want to consider the below sizes.
 20-22 gauge for routine transfusions in adults.
 16-18 gauge for rapid transfusions in adults.
 22-25 gauge for pediatrics.

Administration sets. The requirements for these sets might vary. Check the facility-specific policy first.

 Coagulated protein.
 Sets for PPPs. The administration of platelet-poor plasmas (PPPs) may require a number of
supplies, which often differ by product and brand. Facilities should refer to the product
monograph and local policy to determine what filtration is required.
 Infusion devices. Infusion devices can be used to transfuse blood components (i.e. infusion
pumps, rapid infusers, blood warmers, and pressure devices).
 Pressure infusion devices. A pressure infusion device may be used for the rapid administration
of blood components.
 Blood warmer devices. A blood warmer device is often used to prevent hypothermia during
rapid administration of cold-blood components, such as the operating room or a trauma setting.
 Sets for blood components. Administering blood components requires the use of a blood filter,
which may range in pore size from 170 to 260 microns. It’s intended to remove clots, cellular
debris, and

Procedure:

1. Check order and explain the procedure to the patient.

- To ensure correct order and gain patient trust

2. Get blood in the laboratory and check for blood type, cross matching, Rh, serial number, amount and
VDRL. Warm the blood by wrapping with towel. After it is warmed, attach blood set into the blood pack
and let blood flow into the tubing only until 2 inches away from the tip of the tube.
- To ensure it is the correct blood for the patient

3. Attach butterfly and bring equipment to beside.

- For easier access when doing the procedure

4. Place patient flat on bed. Obtain and record baseline vital signs.

-  Assist in identifying deterioration or improvement in a patient's condition. 

5. Prepare infusion site. Select a large vein that allows patient some degree of mobility.

- To make the procedure and blood transfusion be much easier

6. Assist doctor in venipuncture. (Same in assisting the doctor in intravenous infusion).

- To make the insertion easier

7. Regulate flow rate to 10-15 drops per minute for 15-30 minutes. If there are no signs of adverse
reactions or circulatory overloading the infusion rate is regulated according to the doctor's order.

- To check for reactions

8. Observe patient closely and check vital signs every 15 minutes for the first one hour and then hourly.

- To ensure patient safety

9. Recheck vital signs one hour after transfusion and report to the physician immediately.

- To document what signs or symptoms occur

10. Recheck vital signs one hour after transfusion.

- To ensure patient is fine

11. Record the following information on the patient's chart: Blood type and volume transfused. Serial
number. Time transfusion started and ended. Patient's reaction or patient's immediate response.
Physician who started the transfusion.

- For documentation