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Is it necessary to periodically mix a unit of RBCs that is being transfused by squeezing the blood bag every 20-30 minutes?

A medical technologist in Nebraska wonders if other institutions have a nursing services policy that requires a transfusionist to periodically mix a unit of RBCs by gently squeezing the product every 20-30 minutes, while the RBCs are being transfused. Such a practice is currently written in the nursing services procedure manual at her Nebraska hospital, but the mixing step was reportedly included in the nursing procedure manual with significant objection from nursing staff. The Nebraskan wonders if it is common practice or recommended by an accrediting organization or regulatory agency to perform a periodic mixing of the RBCs during transfusion. Based on input from colleagues, the staff at the Nebraska hospital will either retain the RBC mixing practice, or discontinue it.

Please submit comments to the e-Network Forum.

Ira A. Shulman, MD
CBBS e-Network Forum Editor & Moderator
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Posted: July 30, 2005

Addenda:

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