Can you tell me if irradiated blood products need to be given with a blood warmer. One of our nurses evidently did not and was told she should have. I cannot find any evidence or anything that discusses how to transfuse these products. Thanks.
Kim Springer
Educator
No, a blood warmer is not indicated simply because the unit of blood has been irradiated. Radiation is for the purpose of inactivating T lymphocytes, the cause of graft-vs-host disease. Warmers are for rapid transfusion of large quantities and for cold agglutinin disease. Check with the blood bank in your hospital. Ask if they have a copy of the textbook, AABB Technical Manual, from the American Association of Blood Banks. This is where you will find the most appropriate information about all blood transfusion questions. Lynn
Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, NPD-BC, CRNI
Lynn Hadaway Associates, Inc.
PO Box 10
Milner, GA 30257
Website http://www.hadawayassociates.com
Office Phone 770-358-7861
Thanks so much for your prompt response!