Skip to content
Malawi Clinical GuidelinesGuidelinesGet app

5.3

Platelets

Malawi Standard Treatment Guidelines, 6th Edition, 2023. Chapter 5, Blood and Haematology.

Clinical Description

  • A component obtained by centrifugation of fresh blood within 6 to 8 hours.
  • One unit of platelet concentrate increases the platelet count by 10,000 to 20,000/ul of blood.
  • Must be transfused immediately upon arrival. Platelets should never be stored in a refrigerator or blood bank or in the ward.
  • Decision to transfuse should be based on a combination of clinical and laboratory findings rather than empirical platelet levels.

Check doses against the printed guideline and your clinical judgement before treating a patient. Spotted an error? Report it from the contact links below.

Need this without data?

The app holds every guideline on your device, with calculators, bookmarks and notes.