Introduction of intravenous Infusion pumps for Platelet Transfusion

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Introduction of intravenous Infusion pumps for Platelet Transfusion on Chemotherapy patients to replace Gravity Transfusion in a rural General Hospital.

• IRAS ID

  120188

• Contact name

  Ted Allen

• Contact email

  Ted.Allen@wales.nhs.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  University of Ulster

• Research summary

  Many hospitals use infusion pumps in Red Blood Cell Transfusion. The intravenous infusion pumps used in Withybush Hospital are obsolete and need to be replaced. Hospital staff and staff from Medical Devices Board are currently discussing the replacement of these out-dated infusion pumps and the simultaneous introduction of new pumps which would be used for Platelet Transfusions.
  While pumps are routinely used in red blood cell transfusion, there is hesitation in using these pumps for platelets. Platelets are very sensitive cells and are easily activated by shear stress.It needs to be clarified if infusion pumps cause damage to platelets, leading to impaired function.
  In order to clarify if intravenous infusion pumps can be used for platelet transfusion, the function of platelets from an expired platelet unit will be observed and determined before and after the cells go through the pumping system.

• REC name

  East Midlands - Leicester Central Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  13/EM/0280

• Date of REC Opinion

  5 Jul 2013

• REC opinion

  Favourable Opinion