I work on a combined unit - 1/2 pts rehab (hips, knees, strokes, etc) and 1/2 pts ALC ( alternative level of care - usually elderly pts waiting for nsg homes, complex care etc). We only occasionally have pts sick enough for IV therapy or blood.
The policy at our hospital when giving blood is to give Lasix IV between the units - ie give 1 unit blood, then 20 or 40mg IV Lasix, then 2nd unit blood.
Here is the question that came up today - should the IV lasix be hung above or below the blood filter? (we are not allowed to give it push - no one can give us a good reason why!). I usually piggyback it to a port below the filter. Some people remove the empty blood bag, use that spike for the lasix mini bag, give the lasix then use the same spike again for the 2nd unit.
We searched our policies/procedues manuals but could get no policy regarding the best way to do this! My thoughts are the blood filter could interfer with the lasix.
(we are not allowed to give it push - no one can give us a good reason why!). I usually piggyback it to a port below the filter. Some people remove the empty blood bag, use that spike for the lasix mini bag, give the lasix then use the same spike again for the 2nd unit.