Blood Transfusion Step by Step Procedure

1.Double-check/verify the blood product

 Check the physician’s order with the blood bank
documentation
 Check the patient’s name, DOB, and medical record number
 Check the patient’s blood type versus the donor’s blood
type and Rh-factor compatibility
 Verify the blood has not passed its expiration date
2.Administer the blood product:
 Prepare the Y tubing using only saline solution
 Have the blood ready in an infusion pump
 Initially, the blood should flow slowly for the first 15
minutes (2 ml/min)
 Increase the flow rate after the first 15 minutes once
it appears a reaction is not going to occur
 Stay with the patient for the first 15 minutes to be on
the alert for reactions
 After 15 minutes, take and document vital signs
 Repeat vital sign measurements hourly and after the
transfusion
3.Record the completion of the transfusion in the patient’s
notes.