A Patient's Guide to Blood Transfusions
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
References: This brochure is provided as a source of information and is not • Circular of Information for the considered a replacement for the Use of Human Blood and Blood Informed Consent process prior to A Patient’s Components. AABB. Nov 2013 the transfusion of blood. (revised April 2014) Guide to Blood • AABB Technical Manual. 18th Edition. Transfusion Distributed by the This brochure was developed Medical Board of California by the California Department of Health Services, Laboratory Field To place an order for this brochure, Services (850 Marina Bay Parkway, please FAX your request to: California Richmond, CA 94804) (916) 263-2479 Department of Health Services In partnership with the Medical This information may be obtained Technical Advisory Committee of the electronically at: June 2016 Blood Centers of California. http://www.mbc.ca.gov/ For information about brochure Publications/Brochures/Blood_ contents, please call Transfusions.aspx Laboratory Field Services 213 620-6574. Revised 06/2016 This document provides written Other rare but more serious complications • Medications (certain medications may information regarding the benefits, risks, include severe allergic reactions, heart increase blood volume prior to surgery and alternatives of transfusion of blood failure due to fluid overload, acute or reduce active bleeding to lessen the products (including red blood cells, pulmonary edema (fluid leaking into the need for transfusion) plasma, platelets, or others) collected from lungs), hemolysis (destruction of red blood the patient (autologous) or another person. cells), shock, or death. These options may be available only if This material serves as a supplement your health, time, and procedure permit. to the discussion you have with your Transfusion of blood products carries a They may not be available at all locations physician. It is important that you fully very small risk of transmission of infectious or for all patients. You may also choose understand this information, so please diseases such as HIV (about 1 in 1.5 not to receive blood transfusion; however read this document thoroughly. If you have million), Hepatitis C (about 1 in 1.2 million), this decision may hold life-threatening any questions regarding the procedure, and Hepatitis B (about 1 in 1 million). consequences. ask your physician prior to consenting to Other significant infections may also be receive a transfusion. transmitted by transfusion, but overall this Pre-operative autologous donation is not risk is low. appropriate for all patients. Autologous Information about the treatment donation involves collecting your own blood prior to a planned surgery for Transfusions of blood products are Treatment Options/Alternatives storage in the hospital blood bank. It is provided to increase the amount of blood If you need blood you have several important to discuss with your physician components in your body when they are options. Most patients requiring if it is safe for you to donate and the below a reasonable level for your health. transfusion receive blood products likelihood of needing a transfusion based The transfusion may be made up of red donated by volunteer community on your surgery and current transfusion blood cells, plasma, platelets or other donors. These donors are extensively guidelines. Receiving your own blood specialized products made from blood. screened about their health history may reduce, but will not eliminate, the Your physician will decide on the right and undergo numerous blood tests risk of transfusion-related complications. amount and type of blood product based a s m a n d a t e d b y s t a t e a n d f e d e r a l Insurance company policies may vary on your medical condition or diagnosis. regulations in order to ensure the safest possible blood supply. Alternatives to regarding reimbursement for this service. Overall, although autologous donation is Potential benefits of the treatment transfusion with blood products from volunteer community donors include: an option to consider for those who qualify, Transfusion of blood products may be the number of autologous donations necessary to correct low levels of blood • Pre-operative autologous donation in the United States has significantly components in your body, and may also decreased in the last few decades mainly make you feel better. In some cases, (using your own previously donated blood), see below for more information due to major advances in blood safety and failure to receive transfusion(s) may result efforts to decrease unnecessary blood in death. • Directed donation (blood donated transfusions. by people who you have asked to Risks of the treatment donate for you), see below for more Directed donation refers to blood collected Known risks of this treatment include, but information from “directed donors” who are donating blood are not limited to: for a specific patient by request. Directed • Intra-operative autologous transfusion/ donors are often family and friends of the • Irritation, pain, or infection at the Hemodilution (collecting your own patient. Directed donors go through the same needle site blood during surgery to be given back qualification process as volunteer donors. • Temporary reaction such as a fever, to you) Directed donations are not considered to be chills, or skin rashes. safer than the general blood supply. .