When do Canadian CSTM Standards specify that vital signs must be monitored?
CSTM Standards specify that recipient vital signs be monitored before, during, and after transfusion. Other guidelines such as the BCSH guidelines are more explicit. Regardless of standards, a review of best practices reveals that patient vital signs are often assessed:
- Start of the transfusion
- 15 minutes after the start of transfusion
- End of transfusion
Recipient vital signs are often assessed more often, e.g.,
- Pretransfusion
- 30 minutes after the start of transfusion, then hourly until the transfusion is completed
- 1 hour after the start of transfusion and hourly until the transfusion is completed
- Post-transfusion (e.g., 30 mins. or 4 hrs.)