Re: BLOOD ADMINISTRATION

[DENISE GALLAGHER]

Title: Re: BLOOD ADMINISTRATION

My understanding is that blood can be given through a 22 ga if it is a thin wall catheter because then the diameter is a bit larger.  But, would probably only use if for the occasional one unit and not on a routine basis. ----- Original Message ----- From: Lynn Hadaway To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, December 20, 2005 11:10 AM Subject: Re: BLOOD ADMINISTRATION Go to your blood bank and ask if they have a copy of the textbook, Technical Manual, from the American Association of Blood Banks, not sure what the most recent edition is. Mine is very old, yet it still states in the chapter on administration that blood can be infused through as small as a 21 gauge. Since catheters come in even sizes, I would change that to a 22 g. It is very often given to neonates through a 24 gauge. There are several studies supporting this but your best reference is the AABB book. Lynn At 8:19 AM -0500 12/20/05, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: At the institution I currently work for we have had an issue with what size IV is appropriate for blood administration.  I am curious as to what policies are out there and what evidence based practice studies have been done.  The main question is #20 gauge is the smallest gauge that is appropriate for administration. Thank you , Tamara [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RNC, CRNI Lynn Hadaway Associates, Inc. 126 Main Street, PO Box 10 Milner, GA 30257 http://www.hadawayassociates.com office 770-358-7861