For details of the maximum duration of use of an administration set or for the maximum volume of fluid or drug that can be passed through an infusion giving set please refer to your hospital policy.

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In Australia the advice from Lifeblood is as follows:

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• Blood administration sets must be changed when transfusion is completed, or every 12 hours and in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendation.

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• Multiple packs of the same component type can be administered through the same administration set.

 

• Blood administration sets should not be ‘piggy-backed’ into other lines. It is acceptable to attach the set to extension tubing on an IV cannula.

 

This advice comes from p.19 of "Blood Book: Australian Blood Administration Handbook.  March 2020".

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In New Zealand the advice from the New Zealand Blood Service is as follows:

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• Blood administration sets must be used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and hospital policy.

 

• Because of the risk of bacterial proliferation, each administration set should only be used for up to 12 hours of transfusion or until the filter becomes clogged.

 

• One administration set may be used for transfusing up to 4 red cell units provided the flow rate remains adequate.

 

• In a massive transfusion setting, 8 - 10 units may be transfused before the set is changed, provided the flow rate remains adequate without evidence of filter clogging and the set is changed at least every 12 hours.

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This advice comes from p.30 of "Transfusion Medicine Handbook 3rd Edition.  June 2016".

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Copies of these documents can be found below.