Single Donor Platelet Transfusion Duration
A standard adult therapeutic dose of single donor platelets should be infused over 30 minutes. 1
Administration Guidelines
Standard Infusion Time
- Infuse single donor apheresis platelets over 30 minutes through a standard blood administration set or platelet administration set incorporating a 170- to 200-μm filter 1
- This 30-minute infusion time applies to the standard adult therapeutic dose (containing >2.4 × 10¹¹ platelets per adult dose) 1
Critical Timing Considerations
- Begin transfusion within 30 minutes of removal from platelet storage at 22°C 1, 2
- Platelets deteriorate rapidly once removed from their temperature-controlled environment with constant gentle agitation 1
Important Administration Requirements
Equipment and Setup
- Use a dedicated 170- to 200-μm filter giving set 1, 2
- Never administer platelets through a set that has already been used for red blood cells 1, 2
- No drugs should be added directly to the platelet unit 1, 2
Storage Precautions
- Platelets must never be refrigerated—they are stored at 20-24°C (22°C) with constant horizontal agitation 1
- This differs critically from red blood cells, which are refrigerated at 1-6°C 2
Clinical Context
Volume and Dose
- Each single donor apheresis pack contains 250-350 mL (approximately 200 mL typical volume) 1
- The standard adult dose should increase the patient's platelet count by approximately 30 × 10⁹/L 1
- Many centers now split apheresis collections into 2-3 products, so verify your local blood supplier's policies regarding actual platelet content per unit 1
Post-Transfusion Monitoring
- Measure the patient's platelet count after transfusion to assess response 1
- Platelet function increases immediately after transfusion and persists unchanged for at least 2 hours, with no "warm-up time" necessary for transfused platelets to regain maximal function 3
Common Pitfall
The most critical error is using the same IV line or administration set for both red blood cells and platelets—this must be avoided to prevent platelet dysfunction and inadequate transfusion response 1, 2