blood transfusion protocol

[PaKuRN]

I am on a nursing commitee and we are discussing the blood transfusion policy in our hospital. At this time our tubing for blood tansfusion is free flow, no controllers to regulate rate of flow, just the ball on tubing. The only machine I have seen for blood transfusions are the blood warmers. Does anyone have any insight on the use of IV controllers for blood transfusions?, Or know of any research articles on this particular subject, as I am on the Nurse Practice Consul, and we are basing our findings on Nurse Research.

Also, when transferring a patient from one unit to another, does an RN have to be present when blood products are hanging? Our policy is vague, but it is the practice of our hospital to always have an RN present.

thanks for any input.

[hypocaffeinemia, BSN, RN]

Most IV Pump manufacturers have special tubing for their devices that is compatible with blood, therefore allowing for it to go on to a pump.

We have pump-compatible tubing here but almost never use it in our ICU, out of habit or out of the fact we have constant monitoring of our two patients.

I could see it being quite useful on a med/surg floor with a higher patient load and less direct monitoring.

I know blood tubing exists specifically for Plum and Alaris pumps.

Transporting the patient with blood hanging using an RN makes sense to me, in case there is a reaction or need for intervention.

[jsu102]

We always infuse blood via the Alaris pump (and of course appropriate blood tubing) in our ED. And it's also policy that an RN must accompany the pt on any transfers out of the dept if there is blood hanging.