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blood warmer


teskridge

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All components can be transfused through a blood warmer. The temperature of the blood warmer is less significant than what temperature the fluid attains during passage through the blood warmer (and should be part of the qualification of the device). Many recent studies have shown, particularly in massive transfusion situations, it is criticial to positive outcomes that body temperatue be maintained and that is accomplished by warming all fluids infused, including blood products.

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You should check your manufacturer's circular to see if it specifies which type of components can be administered through the blood warmer.

AABB has also published "Guidelines for the Use of Blood Warming Devices" (2002). It clearly states that a blood warmer should never be used when transfusing platelets, cryo, or granulocytes. We use a Ranger Blood Warmer from Augustine Medical, Inc. and our policy states red blood cells as the only blood product to be infused through the warming device. We couldn't find a consensus on giving plasma through the warmer (the system alarms at under 42 degrees which is warmer than plasma is thawed), so we opted to not use it for plasma. Often the plasma is warm at the time of issue anyway if it has just recently been thawed, so we haven't had any major complaints yet.

Stephanie Townsend, MT(ASCP)SBB

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