We all know that it’s this red fluid that oozes out of our cut wound
but what does it really consist of and
why do few people need blood or its components to be transfused in the hospital?
What is blood?
Blood is a body fluid in the circulatory system which carries oxygen, nutrition and helps in waste removal. Over half of the blood consists of a liquid part known as Plasma. The blood consists of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets which is the solid part.
If any of these components are low, your healthcare professional will ask you to get a blood transfusion done.
What Is Blood transfusion?
A blood transfusion is a procedure in which the blood or blood component donated by a donor is transfused through an intravenous line or a central line.
What is Blood component transfusion?
For example, if the platelets are low, your healthcare professional will transfuse platelets through your IV or CVC.
Other components that can be transfused are,
Cryoprecipitate, plasma, whole blood etc.
Why do I need a blood transfusion?
You may need a blood transfusion if you have lost blood due to a surgery or a trauma or if you have disease conditions like blood cancer or blood and bone marrow disorders.
How does the Blood transfusion start?
Firstly, the donated blood or blood components are stored in a medical bag in a place known as the blood bank.
The healthcare professional collects blood samples from you and sends it to the lab for blood grouping and cross matching to know your blood group and the right blood to transfuse.
The compatible blood is arranged and the blood bag is connected to your IV or CVC through the transfusion set.
The Morrisons blood transfusion set comes in as vented and non-vented. The kink resistant tubing ensures that the blood flows uniformly without any delay.
Note: For few patients, the healthcare professional would arrange for irradiated or leukocyte depleted blood.
What happens during blood transfusion?
Your healthcare professional will check your Vital signs every 15 minutes.
Red blood cells, whole blood and others are usually transfused for 3-4 hours.
Platelets are usually transfused for 15-20 minutes.
However, If you develop
Fever or chills
Breathing difficulty
Rashes or itching
Cold and clammy skin
Severe back pain
Blood in urine
Immediately inform to the healthcare professional taking care of you doing the transfusion. The healthcare professional will stop the blood transfusion right away.
Did you know?
During an accident or a trauma since the blood group of the victim is unknown, O negative (O -ve) blood group is transfused. O -ve is a universal donor blood group.
Reference
Blood transfusion retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/14755-blood-transfusion