Breadcrumb trail
- Centre for Pain Medicine
- Transfusion Medicine
- Transfusion Medicine: General Information
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Transfusion Medicine: General Information
In recent years, the total number of blood transfusions has been progressively reduced by the use of non-autologous blood-sparing methods. Although the risk of transmitting infectious diseases, even in the early stages of the infection, is very low due to specialised laboratory tests, the administration of heterogeneous transfusions and blood products is avoided whenever possible because of their effects on the immune system.
During major operations and in patients with severe pre-existing conditions such as heart failure or anaemia, blood and blood products may be administered after testing for compatibility if the amount of blood available for re-transfusion from special collecting systems (cell savers) is not sufficient. Patient safety is always the top priority, to ensure that all body organs have an adequate supply of oxygen at all times.
