Safe administration of blood or blood components with proper checks and monitoring.
Indications
- • Hb < 7 g/dL (7–8 in cardiac disease)
- • Active bleeding
- • Symptomatic anemia
Contraindications
- ⚠ Patient refusal (JW — respect wishes)
- ⚠ Volume overload without urgent need
Equipment
- • Cross-matched unit
- • 18-G IV access
- • Blood-giving set with filter
- • Baseline vitals
- • Emergency drugs available
Positioning
- • As appropriate for the procedure and patient comfort.
Consent
- • Explain indication, benefits, alternatives
- • Explain risks & complications
- • Obtain written/verbal consent as per SOP
- • Document consent
Universal precautions
- • Hand hygiene
- • PPE — gloves, mask, eye protection
- • Aseptic technique
- • Sharps safety
- • Verify patient identity & site
Step-by-step (0/7)
Tap to complete
Documented.
2. Bedside checklist
3. Baseline vitals
4. Start slowly
5. Full rate
6. Vitals monitoring
7. Complete cycle
Immediate complications
- ⚠ Acute hemolytic reaction (ABO)
- ⚠ Allergic/anaphylaxis
- ⚠ TRALI
- ⚠ TACO
- ⚠ Febrile non-hemolytic
- ⚠ Bacterial contamination
Delayed complications
- • Delayed hemolysis
- • TA-GVHD
- • Iron overload
- • Infection transmission
Recognition
- • Fever, chills, back pain, hypotension, dyspnea
Initial management
- • STOP transfusion
- • Keep line with saline
- • Send unit + samples to blood bank
- • Supportive; steroids/antihistamines/pressors as needed
Prevention
- • Bedside checklist
- • Correct sample labelling
- • Group-specific
Post-procedure observation
- • Vitals q15min × 1h then hourly
Monitoring
- • Site inspection
- • Symptom review
Documentation
- • Procedure note
- • Consent
- • Findings
Patient instructions
- • Report pain, bleeding, fever, worsening symptoms
Educational bedside guide. Perform only under supervision until competent. Follow local SOPs and consent policy.
