How Is a Blood Transfusion Done?
A blood transfusion takes place in a blood center, hospital room, or operating room. It usually lasts 1–2 hours. Your healthcare provider will discuss the blood transfusion with you before it’s done. You’ll need to give permission for the blood transfusion by signing a consent form. • Two healthcare providers confirm your identity. They also confirm that they have the correct blood product(s) for you. • An intravenous (IV) line is placed in a vein if you do not already have an IV. • The blood product comes in a plastic bag that is hung on an IV pole. The blood product flows from the bag into your IV line. The IV line may be connected to a pump, which controls the transfusion rate. You may receive more than one kind of blood product through the IV. • Your vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature) are checked throughout the transfusion. This is to make sure you are not having a reaction to the blood product. • The IV line may be removed once the transfus
