Platelet ordering

Platelet transfusions are indicated for the prevention and treatment of haemorrhage in patients with thrombocytopenia or platelet function defects.

Platelet transfusions are not indicated in all cases of thrombocytopenia and may, under certain circumstances, be contraindicated eg in TTP (thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura) and Kasabach-Merrit syndrome.

Platelet guidelines provide guidance in the use of platelets, allowing the more efficient use of a very limited resource.  

The Trust's clinical guideline on Platelets: blood product transfusion provides guidance on the administration of platelets.

The guidelines are not rigid and allow for flexibility if it is felt necessary in certain circumstances. In this instance, contact the Blood Transfusion Laboratory on extension 8527, or outside normal hours, contact the on-call biomedical scientist on bleep 0590 to discuss your request.

In the event of blood shortages

Provision of platelets will be dependent on availability of normal supplies from the National Health Service Blood and Transplant (NHSBT). 

In the event of a national shortage, the Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) 'Emergency Blood Management Plan' will be followed. The plan has been developed to ensure the effective use of blood and blood products at all times, but especially when national stocks have fallen to low levels.  

Staff at GOSH can find the plan in Appendix 2 of the 'Blood Transfusion Policy and Information Folder', as well as on the intranet in the GOSH Document Library.

Platelet guidelines

References

Reference 1:
British Committee for Standards in Haematology (2003) Guidelines for the use of platelet transfusions. British Journal of Haematology 122: 10-23.

Reference 2:
British Committee for Standards in Haematology (2004) Transfusion guidelines for neonates and older children. British Journal of Haematology 124: 433-453.

Reference 3:
McClelland DBL (editor) (2007) Handbook of Transfusion Medicine (4th edition). London, HMSO

Document control information

Sylvia Hennem, Specialist Practitioner of Transfusion, Blood Transfusion

Additional authors
Helen Nulty, Chief BMS Blood Transfusion, Blood Transfusion

Document owner
Sylvia Hennem, Specialist Practitioner of Transfusion, Blood Transfusion

Approved by
Hospital Transfusion Committee, Clinical Practice Committee

First introduced: 30 April 2007
Date approved: 26 July 2011
Review schedule: Two years
Next review: 26 July 2013
Document version: 3.0
Replaces version: 2.0