Blood Transfusion: what every patient should know.

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Blood Transfusion: what every patient should know.

"Q: How many Americans need blood each year? A: Over four million Americans receive blood transfusions each year. Blood is used to save the lives of patients who need surgery or other medical treatment, for accident victims and for patients with cancer, hemophilia and other serious diseases.

Q: Why would my doctor recommend that I receive blood? A: You may need to receive blood in order to stabilize your condition or to save your life. The amount of blood that is given to you is a decision your physician will make based on your particular needs. Details about why you may need blood will be best explained by your doctor.

Q: What steps are taken to make sure that the blood patients receive is safe? A: There are many safeguards on our national blood supply to ensure safe blood for patients. First, blood is donated by volunteer donors. Before giving blood, donors must answer questions about their health and risk factors for disease, and only a person with a clean bill of health can give blood. Blood from each accepted donor goes through extensive testing. In addition to tests for blood type, seven separate screening tests are run for evidence of infection with hepatitis. AIDS, HTLV virus and syphilis. Finally, a carefully identified blood sample is tested against blood from the patient who will receive it, a process called crossmatch.

Q: What are the risks of receiving blood? A: If a blood transfusion is indicated during a surgical procedure or other medical treatment, the risks of not receiving blood far outweigh the risks of transfusion. Some patients may experience minor changes in the body's immune system after a transfusion, causing mild symptoms, such as fever, chills or hive, which typically require little or no treatment. A small number of patients may also react to donated blood by developing antibodies (immune reactions). The transmission of disease and the destruction of red blood cells occur only very rarely, and seldom threaten life. The potential risk of contracting AIDS from a blood transfusion has received a great deal of attention. But it is important to know that, for more than six years now, all donated blood in the United States is tested for the AIDS virus, reducing the risk to a negligible level. When you consider the risks of transfusion, it may be helpful to know that many common activities carry far greater risks - for example, smoking cigarettes, driving a car or being pregnant.

Q: What can I do to make sure that a safe supply of blood will be available should I, my friends, family or members of my community need it? A: It is very important that healthy Americans donate blood. This will guarantee that a safe and adequate blood supply is available for patient care. Millions of lives are saved each year because of the availability of donated blood.

Q: Do I have choices other than receiving blood from the community blood supply? A: Yes, you may have other choices. Autologous blood transfusion refers to procedures in which you may serve as your own blood donor. In preoperative autologous donation, your blood may be collected and stored before a scheduled surgery if blood use may be required. In intraoperative and postoperative autologous transfusions, blood lost during surgery is saved and returned to the patient. Direct donations can also be arranged in some cases from a person (usually a friend or relative) whom you select.