Use of a Blood Warmer

[sniedz]

I recently started working at this small hospital and question some of their practices: whenever a patient has a cold antibody, the techs label the unit "BLOOD WARMER REQUIRED." I think this is overkill. The Technical Manual says blood warmers are rarely required and to use a blood warmer when you are massively transfusing or when a patient has Cold Agglutinin Syndrome. Can anyone shed some light on this for me? Thanks!

[Malcolm Needs ☆]

I agree totally with you - it is overkill.

[Deny Morlino]

Years ago (probably 15 or so) we had a similar SOP for colds. We have not routinely used a warmer for patients with a cold ab for a long time due to the comment referred to from AABB guidelines.

As Malcolm said ... overkill.

[John C. Staley]

Speaking of blood warmers, anyone ever see what a blanket warmer does to a unit of blood? It's not a pretty sight. It turns black!!! Had anesthesia (sp??) do it once. They decided that they wanted the blood warmed faster than a blood warmer could do it. I have no clue why they thought this. A case where a little knowledge can be very dangerous. Thank God someone came to their senses when they saw the black blood and it was not transfused.

:faint:

[David Saikin]

Follow the Technical Manual.

[tbostock]

I agree...overkill.