This document applies to all

Covenant and AHS sites.

Red Blood Cells, Leukocyte Reduced
Class: Human blood component, derived from OTHER NAMES: Packed red blood cells, Packed
whole blood
cells

INTRAVENOUS OTHER
ROUTES DIRECT IV Intermittent Continuous
Infusion Infusion SC IM OTHER
Acceptable
No Yes No No No No
Routes*
* Professionals performing these restricted activities have received authorization from their regulatory
college and have the knowledge and skill to perform the skill competently.
DESCRIPTION OF PRODUCT:
Red Blood Cell (RBC) concentrates are prepared from approximately 480mL whole blood usually collected in
70mL of anticoagulant. The unit is plasma reduced by centrifugation, platelet reduced by either centrifugation or
filtration and leukocyte reduced by filtration. RBCs are typically resuspended in approximately 110mL of nutrient.
 Collected from volunteer donors by the Canadian Blood Services (CBS).
 Donor is screened and blood is tested for:
i. Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg)
ii. Syphilis
iii. Antibodies to Hepatitis B core antigen (HBcore), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), Human T-cell
Lymphotropic Virus (HTLV-1 and 2), Human Immune Deficiency Virus (HIV-1 and 2)
iv. Nucleic Acid Testing (NAT) for presence of HCV RNA, HIV-1 RNA and West Nile Virus (WNV)
RNA
 CBS also tests blood for ABO/Rh and clinically significant antibodies.
 Some donors are tested for CMV status.
 RBCs do NOT contain any coagulation factors or platelets.

AVAILABILITY:
 Contact your local transfusion service/laboratory for ABO and Rh types stocked at your site.
 ABO compatible (not always identical) may be required if the transfusion service cannot provide
sufficient quantities of the patient’s blood group (See ABO compatibility chart at:
http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/assets/wf/lab/wf-lab-clin-tm-abo-compatability.pdf).
 Rh positive patients may receive Rh positive or Rh negative blood.
 Rh negative patients should receive only Rh negative red cells if available. If necessary, Rh negative
females >50 years of age and males may receive Rh positive red cells.
 The transfusion service/laboratory may, where possible, remove most of the plasma (also referred to as
concentrated or volume reduced red cells) for neonates/pediatric patients. Plasma reduction may also be
done for patients at risk of volume overload.

INDICATIONS FOR USE:

 Red cell transfusions should be administered primarily to prevent or alleviate symptoms, signs or
morbidity due to inadequate tissue oxygen delivery.
 There is no single value of hemoglobin concentration that justifies or requires transfusion.
 An evaluation of the patient’s clinical situation should be the major factor in the decision to transfuse.

CONTRAINDICATIONS:
 Red Blood Cells are not suitable for clinical situations where limited oxygen-carrying capacity is not due
to red blood cell deficiency or dysfunction
 Red blood cells should not be given for volume replacement or for any other reason other than
correction of acute or chronic anemia when non-transfusion alternatives have been assessed and
excluded.
 Patients with anemia due to Hematinic (iron, vitamin B12, folic acid) deficiency should only be transfused
in the setting of severe symptoms or organ dysfunction. The Hematinic deficiency should be treated
aggressively.

Red Blood Cells, Leukocyte Reduced Page: 1 of 3

DOSE:
 Clinical signs and symptoms of hypoxia, ongoing blood loss and risk of anemia to the patient need to be
considered when determining the number of units to transfuse
 Evaluate the patient for further transfusion after each unit
 One unit of RBCs will increase hemoglobin approximately 10g/L in a hemodynamically stable 70kg adult
 Common pediatric dosing is 10-15mL per kg body weight. Alternatively, the following formula could be
used:
Volume to transfuse (mL) = 0.5 x (desired Hb (g/L) – current Hb (g/L)) x patient weight (kg)
(Volume in mL; Hb in g/L; weight in kg )

ADMINISTRATION:

Ensure written (signed) patient consent has been obtained prior to requesting blood component from
lab/transfusion service where possible.

Perform required pre-transfusion checks.

Administration Set:
 Administer through a standard blood transfusion set (170 – 260 micron filter) and change every 8 hours
or per manufacturers recommendation.
 Use intravenous catheter at a minimum of 18 to 20 gauge where possible, taking into account the
condition and the size of the vein. RBCs may be transfused through a 14 to 24 gauge short peripheral
catheter. Transfusion for neonate/pediatric/elderly populations is usually given using 22 to 24 gauge
peripheral venous access device. Smaller gauge catheters may require decreased infusion rates.

Compatible Solutions:

 The fluid of choice is 0.9% NaCl (normal saline). 5% Albumin and ABO-compatible plasma are also
approved for use.
Only isotonic, calcium-free IV solutions should be added to, or come in contact with blood products.
Calcium may bind with the citrate anticoagulant and promote clotting in the tubing. Excess glucose
and/or dextrose causes hemolysis and shortens red cell survival. Studies have shown other IV
solutions to be compatible with citrated blood components. However, these solutions should only be
considered compatible in situations where the use of 0.9% NaCl would lead to undesirable metabolic
abnormalities*. They are:

 Plasma-Lyte A - Contains Sodium 140mEq/L, Potassium 5mEq/L, Magnesium 3mEq/L and

Chloride 98mEq/L at pH 4.0
 Other isotonic, calcium and glucose/dextrose free commercial electrolyte solutions (i.e. Normosol®-
R)
 Ringer’s Lactate (LR). Note: Studies have shown LR to be compatible with citrated blood
components. However, additional studies around the safe use of LR as a citrated blood component
diluent are needed.

 MEDICATIONS MUST NOT BE ADDED TO BLOOD PRODUCTS. If it is necessary to administer

medications simultaneously with blood, it is safest to use an alternate site for the drug. If this is not
possible, the blood line can be clamped, the IV line flushed with normal saline and the drug administered
through the line. Flush the line with normal saline again before running the blood. The use of a Y
connector at the IV site may assist with flushing the line or administration of drugs.

Infusion Rate:
 Infusion rates depend on the patient’s blood volume, cardiac status and hemodynamic condition and are
predetermined by the patient’s authorized prescriber.
 Start the transfusion slowly, 1-2mL/min. for first 15 minutes. Typical infusion is over 2 hours in an adult.
 Transfusion of each unit must be completed within 4 hours of removal from a cold storage device
approved by the Transfusion Service/laboratory.
 In non-urgent/non-bleeding/inpatient settings red blood cells should be transfused during daytime
hours (for patient safety) and transfused one unit at a time.
*Studies in Alberta have shown compatibility with the listed IV solutions and therefore their inclusion within this document is in compliance
with CSA Standards. This information does differ from that contained in the Canadian Blood Services circular of information.

Red Blood Cells, Leukocyte Reduced Page: 2 of 3

POTENTIAL HAZARDS WITH PARENTERAL ADMINISTRATION:

 Potential adverse events related to a blood transfusion range in severity from minor with no sequelae to life-
threatening.
 All adverse events occurring during a transfusion should be evaluated to determine whether or not the transfusion
can be safely continued/restarted.
 All adverse events suspected to be related to a transfusion (whether during or after a transfusion) should be
reported to your local transfusion service and documented as required.

NURSING IMPLICATIONS:

Patient Monitoring:
Pre
Stay At Patient Post Transfusion
Transfusion
Bedside? Vital Signs During Transfusion Monitoring
Vitals?
First First First After
5 10 15 15 Remainder of transfusion
min min min min
NO, but must be
ADULTS Set of V/S then monitor
(in patients)
Yes immediately Yes q1h
available* prn

NO, but must be Set of V/S. Monitor for

ADULTS
(out patients)
Yes immediately Yes q1h minimum of 15 min
available* post**
PEDIATRICS 1st hour→q15 min
For 30-60 minutes
& Yes YES Yes 2nd and 3rd hours→ q30
NEONATES following
min then q1h until complete
* Defined as performing non-dedicated tasks with the patient in view.
**If patient has had a previous adverse reaction to component transfusion, or this is the first transfusion patient
has had for component, monitor for 30-60 minutes.

Note: Vital signs/patient monitoring may be conducted more frequently as determined by clinical condition of
patient.

Patients receiving blood component transfusions must be observed closely for signs of any unexpected
or untoward reactions. These reactions may occur during or after the infusion of blood or blood
products. For follow up instructions to a transfusion reaction, refer to the following link:
http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/4240.asp . Notify the transfusion service as soon as possible that
an adverse reaction has occurred.
Documentation:
 Ensure documentation is completed as per the AHS Transfusion of Blood Components and Products
procedure.
 Recipients of blood components are to be notified in writing of the transfusion.
STORAGE & STABILITY of PRODUCT:
 RBCs are stored at 1-60C and have a shelf life of up to 42 days from date of collection.
 Product manipulation may alter shelf life (i.e. irradiation, washing)
 Do not place in a medication or unapproved cold storage device.
COMMENTS:
Date Effective: 21Dec2015
Revised Date: 05Dec2015
Version 1.4
Approved By: TM Integration Network
Document Number: PTMRGN00001
For questions or comments,about this document please contact Transfusion.SafetyTeam@albertahealthservices.ca
REFERENCES
Canadian Blood Services Circular of Information
CSA Standards
AABB Transfusion Therapy Clinical Principles and Practice

Red Blood Cells, Leukocyte Reduced Page: 3 of 3