A blood transfusion is the delivery of blood products through a vein. The blood products may be red cells, white cells, platelets, clotting factors, plasma, or whole blood. The blood may come from an unrelated or related donor, or it may have been taken from the recipient and stored in advance.
A blood transfusion should help increase your level of blood cells or other specific blood products. It may be needed if you have:
Your doctor will review any possible complications with you. Complications from a blood transfusion are rare but may include:
You will be asked to sit in a comfortable chair. A bag containing the blood product will be hung nearby. An IV needle will be placed into a vein in your hand or arm. The blood product will drip slowly from the bag through a tube into your vein. Once the bag of blood product is empty, the needle in your arm will be removed.
Throughout the transfusion, your vital signs will be checked regularly. You will also be asked about pain, itching, or discomfort of any sort. Most reactions occur early in a blood transfusion, so you will be monitored more closely during the first 15 minutes.
About 2–4 hours
The placement of the IV needle is mildly painful. Once the needle is in place, it should not cause pain.
Immediately following your procedure, the staff may provide the following care:
When you return home after the transfusion, carefully follow your doctor’s advice regarding any activity restrictions or other instructions .
After arriving home, contact your doctor immediately if you experience any symptoms of an allergic reaction or infection, such as:
In case of emergency, CALL 911 .
RESOURCES:
American Association of Blood Banks
http://www.aabb.org/
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, NIH
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Mt. Sinai Hospital Toronto
http://www.mtsinai.on.ca/
Public Health Agency of Canada
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/
References:
Conn's Current Therapy 2007 . WB Saunders Co; 2007.
Hladik et al. Transmission of human herpesvirus 8 by blood transfusion. N Engl J Med . 2006 Sep 28;355(13):1331-1338.
Merck Manual of Medical Information, Home Edition . 2nd ed. Merck and Co; 2004.
Posthouwer D. The natural history of childhood-acquired hepatitis C infection in patients with inherited bleeding disorders. Transfusion . 2006;46(8):1360-1366.
Last reviewed December 2009 by Craig Clark, DO, FACC, FAHA, FASE
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Copyright © 2007 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.