Implementation of Infusion Pumps and Filtered Administration Sets for Stem Cell Transplantation

Stem cell infusion practices vary widely among institutions. A nurse-driven quality improvement project sought to determine whether peristaltic pumps and filtered tubing compromised the safety of stem cell infusion. A preclinical and clinical test design using gravity infusion with unfiltered tubing, gravity infusion with filtered tubing, and pump infusion with filtered tubing was performed. There were no significant differences in postinfusion CD34+ (cluster of differentiation 34+) cell recovery or time to engraftment among the three test groups. Findings suggest that the use of infusion pumps and filtered tubing for stem cell infusion does not compromise safety.