Platelet Transfusion Duration
Platelet transfusions should be completed within 30 minutes for a standard adult therapeutic dose. 1, 2
Critical Timing Requirements
Initiation Window
- Infusion must begin within 30 minutes of removal from platelet storage (stored at 20-24°C with constant agitation) 1, 2
- This 30-minute window is critical because it minimizes bacterial proliferation risk while maintaining platelet function 2
Transfusion Duration
- Complete the entire transfusion within 30 minutes for a standard adult therapeutic dose 2
- Infuse through a 170-200 μm filter using either a standard blood administration set or dedicated platelet administration set 1, 2
Critical Administration Rules
Equipment Requirements
- Never use a transfusion set that has already been used for red blood cells 1, 2
- For massive transfusion protocols, set up two separate IV lines: one dedicated for platelets and one for PRBCs 1
Temperature Management Pitfalls
- Never refrigerate platelets - this destroys their viability 2
- Do not confuse with red blood cell timing rules (RBCs have a 4-hour transfusion window after removal from refrigeration, but platelets require the much faster 30-minute protocol) 2
- Platelets are stored at 20-24°C with constant horizontal agitation, fundamentally different from RBC storage at 1-6°C 1, 2
Product Types and Equivalency
Both single-donor apheresis platelets and pooled platelet concentrates from whole blood follow the same 30-minute initiation and completion rules 2. When leukoreduced, these products can be used interchangeably with similar clinical outcomes 3, 2.
Expected Clinical Response
A standard adult therapeutic dose should increase the platelet count by approximately 30 × 10⁹/L 2. Recheck the platelet count after transfusion to assess response 2.
Storage Limitations
Maximum storage from collection to transfusion is 5 days due to bacterial contamination risk, regardless of whether the product is apheresis-derived or pooled from whole blood 3, 2.