Level One used for rapid infussion of fluid

[bullseye]

Hello everyone: I had a discussion with a fellow nurse at work last night about the rapid infussion level one. Our discussion was how often should one change the level one tubing when administering blood products, I said that if one is rapidly infusing blood products, the filter should be changed after every 4th unit of blood, and, the level one tubing could be change every three to four hours, but if one is just infusing blood product slowly both the tubing and filter should be changed after the 4th unit of blood. Does anyone have any evidence base information about the correct and safe way of using the level one and tube changing. Thanks bullseye

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

The manufacturers of the blood tubing we use say change it after 2 units or 4 hours. I would think that infection wise that would mean an unfiltered tubing would have to be changed after 4 hours, but the number of units wouldn't matter because there is no filter.

[joeyzstj, LPN]

Studies show that after about 4 hours, the risk for bacterial growth in tubing increases. Ive never had to use a rapid infuser for 4 hours. Usually if they are bleeding that bad they need to go to surgery.

[ghillbert, MSN, NP]

Evidence based info:

- cinahl

- medline

- pubmed

[nrs_grl]

but if one is just infusing blood product slowly both the tubing and filter should be changed after the 4th unit of blood. Does anyone have any evidence base information about the correct and safe way of using the level one and tube changing. Thanks bullseye

If you are infusing blood slowly you do not need the level one. The level one is only used when blood products need to be administered quickly. You are correct about changing tubing after 4 units if administering blood traditionally. However the tubing on the level one is good for 4 hrs and I have used it for about that long with a trauma victim one day. But the other response is correct, if someone is bleeding that bad they need to go to OR ASAP.