The effects of infusion rate on platelet outcomes and patient responses in children with cancer: an in vitro and in vivo study.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the influence of infusion rate on quality of transfused platelets and patients' physical and subjective responses.


METHODS
Linked in vitro and in vivo studies with repeated measures and crossover designs, respectively.


METHODS
A 52-bed pediatric cancer center in the midsouthern United States.


METHODS
In vitro: 12 randomly selected platelet units. in vivo: convenience sample of 26 children, ages 3-20 years, with cancer and thrombocytopenia requiring platelet transfusion.


METHODS
Four infusion rates studied in vitro: two infusion rates studied in vivo.


METHODS
Platelet count, morphology score, corrected count increment, and patients' physical and subjective responses.


RESULTS
No clinically significant differences were found in outcomes across the four rates in vitro. Similarly, no statistically significant differences were found between the two in vivo rates on objective or subjective outcomes.


CONCLUSIONS
In this setting, the more rapid infusion rate is clinically preferable because it does not negatively affect platelet recovery or patient outcomes and it decreases the infusion time by half.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings provided a basis for altering platelet infusion rates at the study setting. Benefits of the faster infusion rate include more rapid correction of thrombocytopenia, decreased time that outpatients must remain in the clinic for transfusion. Increased time available for other parenteral infusions in the impatient setting, and substantial savings in nursing time and associated costs.
Norville
R
R
Division of Nursing, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA.
Hinds
P
P
Wilimas
J
J
Fischl
S
S
Kunkel
K
K
Fairclough
D
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D010976:Platelet Count; D017713:Platelet Transfusion / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D013997:Time Factors