lgabbert Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 I would like to know if there is a time limit for length of transfusions. I have a transfusion checklist that shows a single transfusion took 8 hours!! I cannot find anything that states what is too long. Just recommendations that blood should be infused in 2-4 hours. I would appreciate feedback. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mabel Adams Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 4 hours max is standard. See AABB Primer of Blood Administration, ch 5 p. 19. Often the blood administration set also has a max time it can be used, which is usually 4 hours I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMW Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 Take a look at the prescribing information or package insert for blood products, AKA The Circular of Information for the Use of Human Blood and Blood Components. Page 4, #12. "Transfusion should be completed within 4 hours and prior to component expiration." You could also potentially further apply #9 which includes ..."the component expires 4 hours after entry if maintained at room temperature...". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rescyth Posted May 17, 2009 Share Posted May 17, 2009 it is desirable to complete red cell transfusion within 2 hours and a platelet or plasma within 30-60 minutes. Any transfusion should be completed within 4 hours of initiation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWCHB'HAM Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 I have always been taught to abide be the strictest requirements, as long as it is from a reliable source. That being said, according to the most recent Technical Manual 16 Ed. Page 617 under Delay in Starting Transfusion, it states that the unit must be infused within 4hrs of the time that it was issued from the transfusion service, or it must be discarded. We are dealing with this problem currently. We have asked the the order be written to transfuse the unit no greater than 3hrs to allow them time to pick-up the unit, perform all of the necessary checks and get it started. Mabel is correct in that the Admin Set cannot be used for >4hrs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eric1980 Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 I was told by my haematologists that ideally, the length of the transfusion should be as fast as the patient can tolerate, but not more than 4 hours. Personally, I agree with this... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbostock Posted May 22, 2009 Share Posted May 22, 2009 Ours is 4 hours, but we clarify that the "clock starts ticking" when it comes out of the refrigerator in BB, not when the nurse hangs it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMcCord Posted May 23, 2009 Share Posted May 23, 2009 Same as tbostock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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