Refer to EMR tip sheet for further information
Nursing competence
It is recommended that all nurses at RCH providing care to
children receiving blood transfusions have completed the blood
transfusion competency package. You can access the package through your Nursing Competence workbook.
Patient preparation
The patient should be ready for transfusion prior to picking up
blood from the blood bank. eg appropriate IV access, consent completed, pre-medication administered if required.
For any non-emergency transfusion the patient/parents should have
had the benefits/risks of transfusion discussed and an opportunity
to have any questions answered. Consent for transfusion
should then be documented on a blood transfusion consent form.
For further information and for parent and patient information see: Consent
and Consumer Information Guideline
This video shows the correct blood administration process which should be followed.
Issue of blood products from the blood bank
The safe transfusion of blood and blood products requires strict adherence to patient identification processes during all steps in the transfusion chain, including collecting the product from blood bank. Blood bank scientists must know they are issuing to the correct patient and require complete patient identification. This includes:
- full name
- date of birth
- MRN
The blood bank release form contains all required patient identification. During EMR downtime use the green blood bank release card and attach a patient identification label.
Blood products are issued from blood bank in 2 ways:
- Pneumatic Transport System (PTS)
- suitable for fresh blood products only (i.e. red blood cells, platelets, FFP, cryoprecipitate)
- Note: batched blood products (i.e. IVIg, albumin, clotting factors) cannot be sent via PTS.
- Pick-up from blood bank
- the only option available for batched blood products but also suitable for fresh blood products
- the staff member must present with the blood bank release form at the time of collection - do not send the blood bank release form in the PTS separately.
Blood products should only be released in EMR and retrieved from blood bank when the transfusion is ready to commence. This ensures appropriate storage of blood products. Blood products must not be stored in ward areas or domestic fridges.
Fresh blood products must be commenced within 30 minutes of leaving the blood bank. If circumstances change the fresh blood product must be returned to blood bank for storage.
This does not apply to albumin products. Albumin can be kept at room temperature for a maximum of 24 hours. If the requirement for albumin changes, it should be returned to blood bank at the earliest convenience.
Release form
When ready to transfuse the blood product:
- In ‘flowsheets’ select the ‘blood’ tab
- Select ‘release transfusion report’
- Select the ‘release’ hyperlink for the blood product you wish to transfuse
This will print a release form to the nearest printer. Complete all fields including your name, clinical area, PTS number (if applicable) and phone number. This will allow prompt communication from blood bank when the blood product is ready.
For general wards, release will be limited to the following quantities at a time:
- (1) unit of red blood cells
- (4) units of platelets (or one pooled or apheresis bag)
- (2) units of FFP
- (5) units of cryoprecipitate
Special arrangements are available to the Emergency Department, ICU, NICU and Operating Suites for release of greater quantities.
Pretransfusion check
Safe transfusion requires a final
patient identity check at the patient bedside before blood
administration. This is vital to ensure the right blood is given to
the right patient. |
Two clinicians must independently complete the patient and
blood product identification check at the bedside. By electronically signing
the blood administration flowsheet checks in EMR they indicate they have
correctly completed this process.
- At the bedside, if possible ask the patient or
parent/guardian to state full name and birth.
- Check these details match exactly on and include
the MRN:
- Identification band
- Blood product tag attached to blood product
- EMR order
- In EMR:
- Complete pre-transfusion documentation
- Open the blood administration flowsheet by
clicking on ‘Action’
- Select the IV line you will use for the
transfusion
1.Scan the patient’s identification band
2.Scan
the unit number
3.Scan the registration number on the blood
product tag attached to the blood product
4.Scan the product code on the blood product under
the product description
5.Scan blood type. Ensure this is
compatible with patient blood type. - Green thumb and ‘ready’ appears if all details
match
- Check the order to ensure the following:
- Transfusion consent present
- Previous alert for transfusion reaction
- Clinical notes- premedication on MAR
- Transfusion indication relevant
- Type of blood product ordered matches blood
product provided
- Duration per unit/transfusion is specified and
appropriate
- Dose to be transfused (mls or units)
- Modifications or specialised blood products
(e.g. irradiation, CMV negative, cryodepleted, IgA negative, HLA matched, washed,
phenotype matched)
- Check the blood product:
- Expiry date
- Modifications or specialised blood products
(e.g. irradiation, CMV negative, cryodepleted, IgA negative, HLA matched,
washed, phenotype matched)
- Integrity of the blood product
- Enter all other required information in EMR
including the rate of transfusion, date and time commenced.
- Co-sign to indicate the 2nd user has
independently completed the above checks
If the blood product is removed
from the bedside after the patient identification check is complete, the whole
checking process must be repeated. This includes blood products removed from
the bedside for priming of circuits.
Spike the unit only after all
checks listed above are completed. The person spiking the unit must be one of
the clinicians undertaking the patient and blood product identification check. 1
Prime blood administration set at the bedside.
IMPORTANT
If there is any discrepancy between the blood product, patient
details & pack tag/label or if you
are concerned about the appearance of the product DO NOT
TRANSFUSE. Report to Blood Bank immediately: extension 55829
Care
and monitoring of transfused patients
Patients receiving transfusion should be monitored for
symptoms/signs of potential complications of
transfusion.
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Vital signs for fresh blood products
(temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, oxygen saturations and site
observations) should be measured and recorded
- before the start of each transfusion
- 15 minutes after commencement of each pack
- hourly until conclusion
- at the completion of transfusion
- 4 hourly in the 24 hours following transfusion
This is a minimum requirement. Some clinical areas
may require more frequent observations particularly in unstable or unconscious
patients.
Patients should be directly observed during the
first 15 minutes of transfusion as some life-threatening reactions may occur
after the infusion of only a small amount of blood. Where possible, patients and
families should be informed of possible symptoms of a transfusion reaction and
should inform staff immediately if they feel unwell during transfusion.
For information about observation requirements for
fractionated blood products, refer to the product page.