California State Council

 View Only
  • 1.  Auto Transfusion from chest tube

    Posted 05-01-2025 11:19 AM

    Since the ATS bags are no longer in production, what are you using to auto transfuse blood from the chest drains?



    ------------------------------
    Stephanie Capps MSN;RN;AGACNP-BC
    RN
    Altadena CA
    (323) 409-8219
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: Auto Transfusion from chest tube

    Posted 07-21-2025 05:07 PM

    Hi. I work at a Level 1 Trauma Center and we are no longer autotransfusing. We give whole blood from our satellite refrigerator if needed. 

    Liz 



    ------------------------------
    Elizabeth Leon, RN, MSN, CEN, MICN
    Clinical Nurse Specialist
    Harbor-UCLA Medical Center CA
    Torrance, CA
    ------------------------------



  • 3.  RE: Auto Transfusion from chest tube

    Posted 08-04-2025 12:39 PM

    Hi Stephanie,

    That's a long gone procedure. Lots of data has shown shed blood is depleted in Factor 5 & Fibrinogen, about 3.5x's fewer platelets, 7-8x more AST, double the ALT and has a (+++) concentration of FDP's. Additionally, it takes 726ml of shed blood to 1 unit of PRBC's. Sooo, no bueno.



    ------------------------------
    Respectfully,

    Evan Edminster
    MSN, RN, CNL, CFRN, CEN, TCRN, NHDP-BC
    Trauma Clinical Education, Injury Prevention, Outreach Coordinator
    California ENA Trauma Committee Regional Director
    Kaiser Permanente Vacaville Medical Center
    Level II Trauma Center
    1 Quality Drive, Vacaville, CA 95688
    Evan.Edminster@kp.org
    ------------------------------