Blood Transfusions
Treatement
- If an AHTR is suspected, the transfusion should be stopped immediately and a normal saline drip should be started to maintain IV access.
- The purpose of initial therapy is to maintain blood pressure and renal blood flow. As such, IV saline and a diuretic (if necessary) should be administered so that urine output is maintained at 100mL/hr. (Adequate urine output must be ensured as this dilutes the blood and helps to prevent acute tubular necrosis.)
- Additional treatment is supportive to manage complications such as bleeding caused by DIC.
- The patient’s identity should be referenced to that on the blood product label to check for error.
- The blood bank should be notified and samples should be sent from the patient and the remaining blood product for testing.
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Always check that the labels on the patient's wrist band match those on the blood products; ©qscalpel (photo by Adam Szulewski) |