What's your hospital policy on blood transfusions?

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Just wondering what you hospital's policy is on blood transfusion, giving it via gravity or via pump? I know of several hospitals that administer PRBC's via pump, but my current hospital only infuses via gravity. When hanging it via pump, we would leave off the clave connector from the plumb set and use the blood tubing as the secondary set to prevent the cells from lysing. Any thoughts?

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I work PRN at a small facility that administers blood products via gravity.

Since we do not administer blood on a daily basis, I do not quite remember every policy and procedure related to blood administration at this facility.

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Specializes in SRNA.

We use Alaris pumps that has blood tubing specific for that pump. Alternately, there is gravity tubing available. It is up to the discretion of the nurse administering it. My personal preference is gravity tubing if I have a good, patent line to put it in.

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Pump. Everything over pump.

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

we have Alaris pumps too (smart pumps) and require they be used except in cases of severe hemorrhaging. They do not "pinch" the blood and lyse it like older pumps. They "see" the drops. There is far less coagulation than with gravity and the runs are interrupted far less often. Also protects the nurse because of built in safety features.

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Specializes in CVICU, CCU, Heart Transplant.

My facility also has smart pumps, which we use to administer blood. we don't have any gravity tubing.

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Specializes in Oncology.

PRBCs + Albumin via pump, platelets or FFP via gravity.

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Specializes in pediatrics, public health.

Until recently I worked at a pediatric hospital, and we administered all blood products by Baxter pumps with tubing specifically for blood products.

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We have the Alaris pumps and all PRBC's are supposed to be infused with the pump. I like it better than the gravity tubing we used to use.

Emily

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Thanks for the input everyone. We use two different types of pumps, one of which I believe is a Baxter pump...I'm still new to this facility and I admit I haven't paid much attention to the brands. I much prefer using a pump, particularly for pts who have a mediport or a PICC since gravity just doesn't seem to flow well through those devices.

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Specializes in Ortho, Neuro, Detox, Tele.

We use Hospira smart pumps for ALL blood amin, it allows us to ensure blood products infuse in 4 hours or less(our p and p for time to infuse) and I like knowing that I have control over the rate(especially with a CHFer). I don't think I could reasonably be comfortable with gravity.

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I personally feel more comfortable using the pump for Blood. However our facility administer blood by gravity.

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