Blood Banking Flashcards
What is a risk associated with transfusion of ABO incompatible components?
Death or harm
This is categorized as a ‘never event.’
What does ATR stand for in blood transfusion?
Adverse transfusion reaction
What does TACO stand for?
Transfusion associated circulatory overload
What is TRALI?
Transfusion related acute lung injury
What does vCJD stand for?
Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
What is the rationale for red cell transfusion?
- To prevent or correct severe acute anaemia
- To improve quality of life in a patient with otherwise uncorrectable anaemia
- To prepare a patient for surgery or speed up recovery
- To reverse damage caused by patient’s own red cells
Would you transfuse red cells for a 72-year-old lady with haematemesis and a Hb of 106 g/L?
Depends on clinical assessment
What is the Hb level of a 76-year-old with megaloblastic anaemia?
54 g/L
Would you transfuse platelets for a patient with a platelet count of 12?
Yes
Would you transfuse Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP) for a bleeding patient on warfarin?
Yes
What is the Second Sample Rule in transfusion?
A second sample should be requested for confirmation of the ABO group of a patient with no pre-transfusion testing history
How long are blood samples valid if transfused or pregnant in the last 3 months?
3 days
How long are blood samples valid if not transfused or pregnant in the last 3 months?
7 days
What must be included in the written authorisation for blood transfusion?
- Patient core identifiers (forename, surname, DOB, and CHI)
- Date and time the blood component is required
- Type of blood component to be administered
- Any specific requirements (e.g., irradiated, CMV)
- Number of units/volume to be transfused
- Duration of blood transfusion
- Signature of the authoriser
How soon should routine transfusion be completed from removal of component from cold storage?
4 hours
What observations should be documented for every unit transfused?
- Pulse (P)
- Blood pressure (BP)
- Temperature (T)
- Respiratory rate (RR)
When should baseline observations be recorded prior to transfusion?
No more than 60 minutes prior to the start of the unit
What are acute transfusion reactions?
Reactions that occur within 24 hours of administration of blood components
What are delayed transfusion reactions?
Reactions that occur >24 hours after transfusion
What should be done in case of a transfusion reaction?
- STOP the transfusion temporarily
- Maintain venous access with saline
- Assess Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposure (ABCDE)
- Check patient details against compatibility label
- Alert the hospital transfusion laboratory
What are some symptoms of transfusion reactions?
- Fever
- Chills
- Respiratory distress
- Dyspnoea
- Wheezing
- BP changes (Hypertension, Hypotension)
- Severe anxiety
- Nausea/Vomiting
- Pain
- Rigors
- Jaundice
- Tachycardia
- Urticaria
- Haemoglobinuria
- Flushing
