How do I determine the appropriate volume of blood products to transfu

Guideline-aligned answer with reasoning, red flags and references. Clinically reviewed by Dr Kola Tytler MBBS CertHE MBA MRCGP.

In hospital settings, use a ratio of 1 unit of plasma to 1 unit of red blood cells to replace fluid volume in adults with active bleeding .

For children, base the volume on the child's weight, using a ratio of 1 part plasma to 1 part red blood cells .

Hospital trusts should have specific major haemorrhage protocols to guide blood product transfusion volumes .

Start with a fixed-ratio protocol for blood components and adjust based on laboratory coagulation results at the earliest opportunity .

How do I determine the appropriate volume of blood products to transfuse in a patient with major haemorrhage?