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Implementing inpatient, evidence-based, antihistamine-transfusion premedication guidelines at a single academic US hospital
Allergic transfusion reactions (ATRs) are a common complication of blood transfusions. Advances in transfusion medicine have significantly decreased the incidence of ATRs; however, ATRs continue to be burdensome for patients and problematic for providers who regularly order packed red blood cells and platelet transfusions. To further decrease the frequency of ATRs, routine premedication with diphenhydramine is common practice and is part of “transfusion culture” in a majority of institutions. In this article, we review the history, practice, and literature of transfusion premedication, specifically antihistamines given the adverse-effect profile. We discuss the rationale and original academic studies, which have supported the use of premedication for transfusions for decades.
Click on the PDF icon at the top of this introduction to read the full article.
Allergic transfusion reactions (ATRs) are a common complication of blood transfusions. Advances in transfusion medicine have significantly decreased the incidence of ATRs; however, ATRs continue to be burdensome for patients and problematic for providers who regularly order packed red blood cells and platelet transfusions. To further decrease the frequency of ATRs, routine premedication with diphenhydramine is common practice and is part of “transfusion culture” in a majority of institutions. In this article, we review the history, practice, and literature of transfusion premedication, specifically antihistamines given the adverse-effect profile. We discuss the rationale and original academic studies, which have supported the use of premedication for transfusions for decades.
Click on the PDF icon at the top of this introduction to read the full article.
Allergic transfusion reactions (ATRs) are a common complication of blood transfusions. Advances in transfusion medicine have significantly decreased the incidence of ATRs; however, ATRs continue to be burdensome for patients and problematic for providers who regularly order packed red blood cells and platelet transfusions. To further decrease the frequency of ATRs, routine premedication with diphenhydramine is common practice and is part of “transfusion culture” in a majority of institutions. In this article, we review the history, practice, and literature of transfusion premedication, specifically antihistamines given the adverse-effect profile. We discuss the rationale and original academic studies, which have supported the use of premedication for transfusions for decades.
Click on the PDF icon at the top of this introduction to read the full article.