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Blood Transfusion Facts

Blood transfusions are essential for saving the lives of millions of people annually around the world. Transfusion donations and procedures follow strict policies to ensure that only disease-free blood is used in the donation process.

  1. History

    • The first successful human blood transfusion occurred in 1818, when Dr. James Blundell transfused a husband's blood into his wife to aid in treating a post-partum hemorrhage. In 1901, Dr. Karl Landsteiner documented the first three blood types A, B and O. Since 1915 with the discovery of first anticoagulant, the blood donation industry has made numerous breakthroughs, including the discovery of RH factors and more reliable anticoagulants, thus increasing the availability and reliability of blood for transfusions.

    The Facts

    • There are four distinct human blood types A, B, AB and O. Blood will also be either rH positive or negative. Donated blood has a refrigerated shelf life of 42 days and a frozen life of 10 years.

    Significance

    • Approximately 32,000 pints of blood are used daily in the United States. Due to the risk and complexity of many modern surgeries, one in every 10 patients will require a blood transfusion. In America alone, 4.5 million people would die annually without a blood transfusion.

    Regulation

    • Blood donation and transfusion procedures are monitored by the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB). The AABB dictates the procedures, tests and treatments required of all donated blood. The AABB currently requires that the tests performed on all donated blood in the United States include, Hepatitis B surface antigen and Hepatitis B core antibody, Hepatitis C virus antibody, HIV-1 and HIV-2 antibody, HTLV-I and HTLV-II antibody and Serologic test for syphilis. Should the blood fail any of these tests, it is rejected and will not be used for transfusion.

    Process

    • According to Penn State University's Milton S. Hershey's Medical Center College of Medicine, the procedure begins when, "The blood is matched to the recipient's blood type. Before starting the transfusion, the health care professional cross-matches the donor blood by mixing a drop of it with the recipient's to make sure they are compatible. The health care professional will also double-check that the blood is intended for the recipient. Then, the donor blood is given slowly, through an intravenous (IV) line directly into the veins. Blood transfusions are given in units, with one standard unit of blood equaling about one pint. During the transfusion, medical personnel watch the patient closely for any adverse reactions. When the transfusion is complete, a compress bandage is placed over the area where the needle had been inserted." Some patients may experience an allergic reaction to the transfusion, but known reactions are mild and rare.

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