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When a blood transfusion stops

If a blood transfusion stops or becomes sluggish, run these checks to pinpoint the problem:

Make sure the I.V. container is at least 3' (1 m) above the I.V. site.
Verify that the flow clamp is open.
Make sure the blood in the blood bag completely covers the filter. If it doesn't, squeeze the drip chamber until it does.
Gently rock the blood bag, agitating any blood cells that may have settled on the bottom.
For a straight-line set, flush the line with sterile normal saline solution and restart the infusion.
For a Y-type set, close the clamp to the patient and lower the blood bag. Open the clamp to the sterile normal saline solution, and allow 50 to 100 ml to flow into the bag. Rehang the bag, open the clamp to the patient, and restart the flow rate.