Page 65 - policy and procedure infection control

Policies and Procedures on Infection Control

4.6 Blood and Blood Products Transfusion

Blood transfusion may save life. It should be appropriately screen for infectious agents to reduce the
risk of transmitting infectious diseases .Only compatible blood and blood products are to be transfused.

4.6.1 General Principles.

All blood products should be considered potentially infectious and should be handled
with glove. Medicine should not be added intravenously with the blood or blood product
that is being transfused.
The practical basis of precautionary measures taken during transfusion of blood and
blood product involves procedures to protect portal of entry, thus preventing:
i. Access of microorganism into the host tissue.
ii. Cross contamination.

4.6.2 Specific practices (transport, storage, transfusion, dispose)
• Insert intravenous line by aseptic technique.
• Choose a site on an upper extremity which will minimize patient discomfort and
restriction of movement. Avoid the groin, lower extremities and bony prominences
because these sites have high risk of infection.
• Inspect the supplied units of blood and blood product for date of expiry, cracks and
leaks. Do not use leaking blood bag, return it back to blood bank.
· Blood or blood product bag should be kept in a blood box as recommended by blood
bank during transportation to the ward.
• Ensure that the correct blood and blood product is given to the intended patient.
Follow local procedure manual of patient identification.(Reference: Transfusion
practice guidelines for clinician and laboratory personnel, MOH)
• Label date and time of onset of transfusion.
• Transfusion of red cells must be started within 30 minutes of removing them from
refrigeration and should be completed within four hours.
• Platelet and plasma must be transfused immediately.

• The red blood cell packs should be stored at 2-6° Celsius.
• Monitor the patient’s pulse rate, temperature and blood pressure during transfusion.
Stop transfusion immediately if fever or hypotension occurs, as this may be signs of
septicaemic shock.
• After completion of blood transfusion, the used blood bags and intravenous giving set
should be tightly secured and put inside into the transparent bag. DO NOT disconnect
GIVING SET from blood bag. Sent immediately to blood bank for proper disposal.
• DO NOT reused intravenous GIVING SET for the next fluid transfusion.

54 Ministry of Health Malaysia