FFP off the pump?

RNewbie · Mar 28, 2012

I don't infuse FFP a lot but I have always used a pump. Never heard of free flowing it. Were you presented with any evidence based research to back up the info you were given? I used to work at a large teaching hospital and they were always coming up with new changes to things that ppl had been doing a certain way for years. I like the idea of staying on top of research bc medicine and technology are constantly changing but it's a pain to convince ppl to do things a new way when it's been done a specific way forever.

JazzyK89 · Mar 28, 2012

At our hospital, FFP comes up with its own tubing and we just free flow it right in...never asked the reasoning behind it, I thought that was just always h

JazzyK89 · Mar 28, 2012

At our hospital, FFP comes up with its own tubing and we just free flow it right in to gravity...

SteveORN · Mar 28, 2012

I have always done FFP free flow with the tubing that is sent up with it. I have been told that a pump does damage it going through.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Mar 28, 2012

i have given ffp both ways but care need to be taken that the pump is approved for the use with blood and blood products. however, the use of the tubing that comes from blood bank is the standard at all the facilities where i have worked.

[color=#333333]iv pumps

mechanical pumps may be useful for controlling the very slow infusion rates required by neonatal and pediatric patients, but care is needed to avoid hemolysis. only pumps specifically approved for blood transfusion should be used. some pumps can be used with standard infusion sets; others require special software.

http://www.clinlabnavigator.com/transfusion/blood-infusion.html

ckh23, BSN, RN · Mar 29, 2012

Freeflow. Hook it up and let it go.

MLB55 · Mar 29, 2012

We give alot of FFP, I'm surprised I've never heard this being at a large teaching hospital. Going to ask around.

Biffbradford · Mar 29, 2012

I don't think I've ever pumped FFP, platelets, cryo, etc.

BelgianRN · Mar 30, 2012

We only pump blood products for children and neonates (as Esme's source suggested) but we spike the bag and draw it up in a syringe via a filter and then infuse slowly with a normal syringe pump through normal lines.

blucrna · Mar 30, 2012

We free flow our ffp from gravity (level 1 teaching hospital). You don't really have to worry about circulatory overload with ffp.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Mar 31, 2012

But you still need to be on the lookout for TRALI.....

Transfusion-Related Acute Lung Injury (TRALI)

Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) is a serious complication of blood transfusions that is thought to be most commonly caused by a reaction to White Blood Cell antibodies present primarily in the plasma component of blood products. When transfused, these antibodies can sometimes activate a type of White Blood Cell called a granulocyte, which causes plasma to leak into the lungs, creating fluid accumulation-a condition referred to as acute pulmonary edema. According to the Food and Drug Administration, TRALI is a leading cause of transfusion-related deaths in both male and female patients, contributing to an average of 24 fatalities annually from 2003-2005.

Plasma containing blood components obtained from certain donors are thought to carry a higher risk of causing TRALI. Donors who are more likely to have these antibodies include women who have been pregnant and developed these antibodies as a result of exposure to fetal blood and donors who have previously received a transfusion or transplant.

There is currently no screening test for the prevention of TRALI, and there is no single intervention that can eliminate the risk of TRALI.

Transfusion-Related Acute Lung Injury (TRALI)