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Every day, life-saving blood transfusions are needed in healthcare facilities across the world. Annually in the United States, more than 14 million units of blood are transfused from nearly 11 million blood donors. Most patients do not experience any side effects from their transfusions, and this is due to the knowledge and skills of the clinicians caring for them. One of the best ways to teach aspiring doctors, nurses and lab technicians how to perform these procedures is simulation training. Participating in structured simulation scenarios not only improves clinical skill performance but enhances confidence in performing critical interventions. SimRx Signature Simulated Blood Bags are an essential component of this training because they look and feel just like real blood products.
Blood Transfusion Basics
When patients are anemic or have suffered acute blood loss, they usually receive transfusions of red blood cells rather than whole blood. This is because whole blood transfusions are more likely to cause complications like allergic reactions or fluid overload. This also allows a single unit of donated blood to be split into its components (red blood cells, platelets and plasma) to help several different patients.
Simulated Red Blood Cells
SimRx Signature Simulated Blood Bags contain thick red fluid that looks and feels like real packed red blood cells. They are available in all eight ABO/Rh blood types: A+, A-, B+, B-, AB+, AB-, O+ and O- so learners can confirm donor-recipient compatibility. The realistic labels have the same information as real blood bags including donation and expiration dates, donation numbers, and removable barcode stickers. SimRx also offers Stainless Simulated Blood Bags that contain thin dark red fluid that is safe to infuse into manikins and skills trainers.
Plasma is the liquid portion of blood that contains cells and clotting factors. Plasma transfusions are sometimes needed by patients with liver failure or severe bleeding. Plasma bags are light yellow in color and they are usually kept frozen until they are needed. Platelet bags look like plasma but they contain tiny cells that bind together and form clots to stop bleeding. Platelets and plasma are divided into the eight A+, A-, B+, B-, AB+, AB-, O+ and O- blood types. SimRx offers both Simulated Fresh Frozen Plasma and Simulated Platelets so students can effectively learn the difference.
Even though blood transfusions are routine medical procedures, many precautions are needed to ensure that life-threatening complications do not occur. SimRx Simulated Blood Bags allow students to practice all of the steps required for transfusions so they are ready to safely care for real patients. Safety angiocatheters, Y-type administration sets, infusion pumps, and blood warmers are also available to provide complete training solutions for programs. For more information, reach out to a DiaMedical USA expert at 877-593-6011 or info@diamedicalusa.com.
References
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. (2022). Blood safety basics. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/bloodsafety/basics.html
Jumpp, S. (2021). Evidence-based competency training for blood product administration. Worldviews in Evidence-Based Nursing, 18(4), 308-310.
LibreTexts Medicine. (2020). Transfusions of whole blood. Retrieved from https://med.libretexts.org/
