Filters
- Blood infusion sets include a 170-200 micron filter and must be used for administration of all blood components - Red blood cells, Plasma, Platelets, Cryoprecipitate and Granulocytes. The filter will remove any aggregated material and fibrin clots.
- infusion sets / blood filters should be changed according to local policy.
- All blood components in New Zealand are leucodepleted at source by NZBS. The use of bedside leucodepletion filters is not necessary.
- For manufactured blood products (presented in bottles), syringes or a standard IV infusion set may be used. Note that glass bottles also need to be vented (see manufacturer's instructions for details).
Warming
- If warming is needed, a specifically designed, commercial, approved, monitored system must be used. Blood and components must not be warmed above 41ºC.
- A blood warmer is indicated for:
- Large volume rapid transfusions of >50 mL/kg/hour in adults or >15 mL/kg/hour in children
- Exchange transfusions
- Patients with clinically significant cold agglutinins
- Never improvise by placing a blood pack into hot water or a microwave.
Pumps
- Pumps should be used to deliver blood products when:
- Controlled flow rates are required for specific patients, e.g. paediatric patients, or those at risk of fluid overload.
- Infusion of blood products via gravity is unreliable e.g. via PICC or small gauge cannula.
- Caution! Haemolysis of blood cells may occur with some models.
- Check the pump is approved for transfusing blood components
- Check the manufacturers instructions before use with Red Cells and Platelet.
- Never use pumps with granulocyte/buffy coat infusions
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