3.17 Compatible Intravenous Solutions | New Zealand Blood Service

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Transfusion medicine

Transfusion medicine handbook

The Transfusion Medicine Handbook is designed to assist hospital staff and other health professionals in modern Transfusion Medicine Practice.

3. Guide to Good Transfusion Practice

3.17 Compatible Intravenous Solutions

  • 9 % sodium chloride ('normal saline') intravenous (IV) injection is the only recommended IV solution to be prime, flush or co-mix with blood components. No other drugs or additives are to be used.
    • Do not use Plasmalyte 148 in 5% glucose or 5% dextrose solutions as these may induce haemolysis.
    • Do not use compound sodium lactate solutions, e.g., Hartmann's or Ringer-Lactate, as these contain calcium and may induce clot formation in the blood component bag and/or administration set.
  • Privigen NZ, Privigen and Gamunex 10% must not be diluted in saline. This changes the stability causing the solution to precipitate.
  • Coagulation factors are also administered un-diluted; they can be flushed with normal saline but are not stable in saline solutions.
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