12. Getting Ready
Avoid obtaining either whole blood or
packed RBC’s until you’re ready to begin
the transfusion
Prepare the equipment when you’re ready to
start the infusion.
13. The Procedure
Explain the procedure to the patient
Make sure an informed consent has been
signed
Record baseline vital signs
14. The Procedure
Obtain whole blood or packed
RBCs from the blood bank
within 30 minutes of the
transfusion start time.
15. The Procedure
Check the
expiration date on
the blood bag, &
observe for
abnormal color,
RBC clumping, gas
bubbles, &
extraneous
material. Return
outdated or
abnormal blood to
the blood bank.
16. The Procedure
Compare the name & number on the patient’s
wristband with those on the blood bag label.
17. The Procedure
Check the blood bag
identification
number, ABO blood
group, and Rh
compatibility.
Also, compare the
patient’s blood bank
identification
number, if present,
with the number on
the blood bag.
18. The Procedure
Identification of blood & blood products is
performed at the patient’s bedside by two
licensed profesionals, according to the
facility’s policy.
30. The Procedure
If the patient doesn’t have an I.V. line in
place, perform venipuncture, using a 20G
or larger-diameter catheter.
31. The Procedure
Avoid using an existing line if the needle or
catheter lumen is smaller than 20G.
Ventral venous access devices also may be
used for transfusion therapy.
32. The Procedure
If you’re administering whole blood, gently
invert the bag several times to mix the
cells.
33. The Procedure
Attach the prepared blood administration set
to the venipuncture device, & flush it with
normal saline solution.
34. The Procedure
Then close the clamp to the saline solution,
& open the clamp between the blood bag
& the patient.
35. The Procedure
Adjust the flow
clamp closest to
the patient to
deliver the blood
at the calculated
drip rate.
36. The Procedure
Remain with the patient, & watch for the
signs of a tranfusion reaction, such as
fever, chills, & wheezing.
45. Practice Pointers
Although some microaggregate filters can
be used for up to 10 units of blood, always
replace the filter & tubing if more than 1
hour elapses between transfusions.
48. Practice Pointers
If you’re administering packed RBCs with
Y-type set, you can add saline solution to
the bag to dilute the cells by closing the
clamp between the patient & the drip
chamber & opening the clamp from the
blood
49. Practice Pointers
Then lower the blood bag below the saline
solution container & let 30-50ml of saline
solution flow into the packed cells.
50. Practice Pointers
Finally, close the clamp to the blood bag,
rehang the bag, rotate it gently to mix the
cells & saline container
51. Documenting Blood Transfusion
In your notes, record:
Date & time of the transfusion.
Type & amount of transfusion product.
Patient’s vital signs.
Your check of all identification data.
Transfusion reaction & nursing actions
taken.