Authors

  1. Houck, Dereen RN, BSN, OCN(R)
  2. Whiteford, Joan RN, BSN

Abstract

Until recently, the authors' facility used a gravity-flow administration set for blood transfusions. This precluded using peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) for transfusions. A peripheral catheter was placed in these patients when transfusions were required. The goal of this project was to demonstrate that administration of blood products with an infusion pump is safe, timesaving, and cost-effective for patients with all types of vascular access devices. A total of 169 blood products were transfused. Use of the infusion pump showed no PICC failure, resulted in shorter transfusion times, and was cost-effective.