Platelets, plasma and cryoprecipitate generally are transfused at a rate of 10 ml per minute. Page 44 Blood Transfusion Policies and Standard Practices Page 4 Circular of Information for the Use of Blood and Blood Components 11. The size of the needle is not an issue. The amount of pressure exerted on the red blood cells is the limiting factor. Blood can be infused through the smallest of needles as long as great pressure is not needed to get the blood to flow.
Excessive pressure causes lysis of the red blood cells.
With physician approval, a transfusion may be administered to a febrile patient. However, if a patient is febrile, consideration should be given to postponement of the blood transfusion, since the fever may mask the development of a febrile reaction to the blood component itself. Page 42 Blood Transfusion Policies and Standard Practices 13. Complete the transfusion reaction report form Page 43 Blood Transfusion Policies and Standard Practices 14. A temperature rise of 1.50F or 1.00C from the baseline is considered a febrile reaction that must be worked up.