Equipment Used in Administration of Blood Components
The equipment used in transfusion of blood products includes filters, tubing, needles, pumps, blood warmers, and rapid infusion devices. Blood components manufactured by Canadian Blood Services (CBS) and Héma-Québec (H-Q) are leukoreduced by filtration but a blood filter is still required at the time of transfusion.
Administration Sets
Filter size
The transfusion of all components requires the use of a filter to remove debris in the form of blood clots and aggregates of cells. All blood and blood products for intravenous use should be given through an appropriate administration set with a filter. "Standard" blood administration sets contain a plastic mesh designed to remove most particles that are larger than 170 um in diameter. The current standard blood product filters have a pore size which is adequate to remove large cell aggregates and fibrinous material; this size is thought to be 170 um. This is not accurate as the filters vary from 140-260 um depending upon the manufacturer. However, the term “standard” or “170 um” is accepted common terminology. Some manufacturers are now producing regular blood administration sets with in-line filters of 80 um pore size. These are not microaggregate filters; they may be used interchangeably with sets containing standards filters for all blood products.
Needle Size
Red Blood Cells (RBC) should be administered through a large bore needle, catheter or cannula, preferably 19 gauge or larger where vascular access permits. Other blood components may be infused with smaller gauge needles. In patients who have small veins, pediatric patients and in adults whose large veins are not accessible, smaller gauge needles are necessary. Transfusion for a newborn may be administered through a very small 23 gauge needle.
Other Equipment
- Blood Warmers
- Equipment for Pooled Unit or Bolus Infusion
- Rapid Infusion Devices
- Volumetric Infusion Pumps
- Blood Product Storage Equipment
Fractionation products may require special administration procedures.
Therefore, the individual package insert should be consulted.