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Discussion

Question about FFP transfusion

I am a new RN. I have been working in a PCU for 3 months now. I had a pt. the other day who needed a FFP transfusion and I wasn't sure if I needed blood tubing or regular IV tubing for the transfusion. I asked the charge nurse who is an experienced (20+ years) nurse and she said to use regular IV tubing piggy backed into normal saline primed tubing and to run it in without a pump at a fast rate. Then another experienced nurse was administering FFPs in the room next door and she was using blood tubing without normal saline and running it through a pump at 100ml/hour. I am confused. I went to our hospital policy and procedures and all that is mentioned is whole rbc's and platelets, nothing about fresh frozen plasma. I have also looked in my nursing books from school and nothing seems to answer my question. Therefore, I am turning to allnurses.com to see what you guys have to say. How do you infuse fresh frozen plasma?

Thank you in advance for your responses.

Featured Replies

we use blood tubing, infused over 30 min-1 hr. (if pt's circulatory status is stable).

leslie

  • Expert

Blood tubing...... usually run over 30 min, depending on how well I think the baby's IV access will hold up under that flow rate....

I use the blood tubing, but have seen many RNs use regular tubing without any ill effects. I'd rather err on the side of caution and use the blood tubing.

I use the blood tubing, but have seen many RNs use regular tubing without any ill effects. I'd rather err on the side of caution and use the blood tubing.

I believe that the rationale for using blood tubing, is that blood tubing has a filter, and regular IV tubing does not. I am open to suggestion on this issue. I believe that we always use blood tubing in the ICU.

Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN

Spokane, Washington

We use blood tubing also. But when in doubt and you can find the PP in the book,, blood bank in the hospital can give you some good ideas and advice. They usually know protocol and are willing to help.

I agree, blood tubing over 30 minutes.

FFP is a blood product so use blood tubing over 30mins to 1 hr.

Blood tubing, run wide open.

IMO, 100mL per hour is way too slow - the condition that is the indication for FFP needs to be corrected now.

Blood tubing. I open up the clamp and run it right in--usually 20-30 minutes.

FFP is a blood product and should be treated as blood. At my facility we use the blood tubing and also have NS piggy backed to it. I would definately ask someone who might know the policies in your facility. They may need to write one up if they don't have one already.

Blood tubing, and infuse over 20-30 min max. This is in the ED, and I think we tend to infuse it a little faster than other units.

I work adults so that might matter to the original poster. I don't know the abreviation of the floor name they were using. I use blood tubing. Our pumps can't do blood. I flush the line with normal saline. Open the line up(if the pt. can handle it). Depends on lungs and heart at the time. Then flush again with NS. Usually the worst pt. is about an hour, but usually 30 minutes max. I hope this helps. It was good that you asked the people on the floor. Also like someone else suggested call the lab. Thoes people are awsome. I have never had a problem that they didn't know or couldn't explain in terms that I could understand. Good luck in your adventures in blood administeration!

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