SAFE BLOOD TRANSFUSION PRACTICE

Question 1

What is Blood transfusion?

Answer 1

Blood transfusion can be described as the infusion of compatible blood (whole blood) or
blood components (red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, clotting factor concentrates etc) into a recipient (patient).

Question 2

When was the first recorded need for blood transfusion?
When was the performed the first known human Blood transfusion?
When was the first successful transfusion of human blood?

Answer 2

1492

1795 in Philadelphia by American physician Philip Syng Physick

1818 James Blundell, a British obstetrician, performed the first successful transfusion of human blood to a patient for the treatment of postpartum hemorrhage

Question 3

How long can blood be stored for and in what state?

Answer 3

blood can be stored after it had been separated to various components, in a frozen state for a year or more.

Question 4

What are the GENERAL PRINCIPLE GUIDING TRANSFUSIONS?

Answer 4

It thus follows that transfusions of blood and blood components should only be prescribed:
When there is a definite and appropriate clinical indication.
When there are no feasible alternatives and
When the benefits of transfusion are judged by the prescribing clinician to outweigh its short- and long term risks.