How to Hang Platelets

Platelets are one of the various components that make up your blood. Other components include red blood cells, white blood cells and plasma. Platelets are approximately one quarter the size of red blood cells. Proper platelet function causes blood to form clots. Transfusions of platelets via an intravenous line can be administered in order to prevent or control blood loss in people with a decrease in properly functioning platelets.

Instructions

How to Hang Platelets

• 1

  Obtain a physician's order for an intravenous transfusion of platelets.

• 2

  Assure that your intravenous line is patent and flowing well. The intravenous site should be in a large vein such as the antecubital vein located in the bend of the arm. The intravenous catheter should be a large bore catheter of at least 18 gauge in size. The intravenous tubing should be from a blood administration tubing set that contains a micron filter.

• 3

  Assure that intravenous isotonic saline solution is hanging prior to beginning platelet administration. This is the most common fluid utilized when administering blood products as it is the least likely to react with them. Attach the saline solution to the main port of the intravenous blood tubing set. The main port is easy to identify as it has no micron filter attached.

• 4

  Verify all patient data such as name, birth date, blood type and procedure to be performed. This step should never be overlooked.

• 5

  Remove the cover from the administration port of the bag containing the platelets. You will also need to remove the cover from the bag spike intended for blood product from the blood administration intravenous tubing set.

• 6

  Insert the blood tubing spike into the port in the platelet bag. The spike inserted into the platelet bag will be the one attached to the micron filter.

• 7

  Attach the tubing to an intravenous pump and open ports on the blood administration tubing set by rolling the roller clamp in the opposite direction. The flow rate should be set no faster than 1 milliliter per minute to begin the transfusion in order to monitor for any form of transfusion reaction.

• 8

  Increase infusion rate to 10 milliters per minute once it is determined that the patient has no reaction to the platelets being given.