Running blood through a #22 or #24???

Trauma Columnist · Mar 4, 2003

In the hospital where I work - we sometimes run blood through a 22g if that's what we have, but not a 24. I would look to their written policy.

Mattigan, RN · Mar 4, 2003

We do it in Peds and the nursery. It does fine-have to go slow though and in the ER that is a problem. Also, need to be on a compatible pump and tubing- doesn't do well to gravity.

KaroSnowQueen, RN · Mar 4, 2003

I am amazed. If we have a pt going to get blood and they have a 22 in, we have to start a new site with a 18 or 20. Policy. Very interesting, the things you learn on this site!!!!

Liann · Mar 4, 2003

I work in the hospital transfusion service and our guidelines state that blood products may not hang for more than 4 hours. Tubing that is small will significantly slow down infusion rate.

renerian, BSN, RN · Mar 4, 2003

We did alot of our sickle cell clients with 22s in the thumb. As you can guess they had limited access.

renerian

Mattigan, RN · Mar 4, 2003

Originally posted by Liann
I work in the hospital transfusion service and our guidelines state that blood products may not hang for more than 4 hours. Tubing that is small will significantly slow down infusion rate.

I guess that's why it can work for babies nad very small children- rarely do I ever have to give over 60-80cc.

RN-PA, RN · Mar 4, 2003

We're allowed to use a 22g, but nothing smaller for blood.

K O'Malley · Mar 4, 2003

Everywhere I have worked required a #18 or a #20. Doesn't a small bore needle hemolyze the blood?

grandma rn38 · Mar 4, 2003

i have uesd a 22 one time because we could not get anything else

but we usually use a 20 or 18.

dawngloves, BSN, RN · Mar 4, 2003

Never with adults. 18 most preffered, 20 was for the little old ladies.

prmenrs, RN · Mar 4, 2003

Everything's different in NICU!!