They take steps to protect you - from screening donors to making sure to use the right blood. But healthcare providers work hard to ensure the safety of these treatments.
If you choose to refuse the transfusion, you could face permanent disability or loss of life.īlood transfusions may worry people or make them feel anxious. You’ll need to discuss this option with your healthcare provider. You can refuse a transfusion, but you should know the risks and consequences. Can I refuse to receive a blood transfusion? The alternatives won’t help quickly enough. But if you’ve lost too much blood or your life is in danger, you’ll likely need a transfusion. Medications can help your body produce blood. Plasma and cryoprecipitate also help to prevent or control bleeding.Īre there alternatives to blood transfusions?Īlternatives to blood transfusions exist but may not work in all situations.Platelets help to prevent or control bleeding due to low platelet count.Adequate oxygen is very important to maintain life. Red blood cells carry oxygen through your body to your heart and brain.Blood and the components of blood benefit the body in these ways: If you don’t have enough blood or one of the components of blood, you could face a life-threatening situation. What are the benefits of a blood transfusion?īlood is important. Stopping the transfusion or getting certain medications can provide relief. If you experience unusual symptoms during a transfusion, tell your healthcare provider. When they do happen, they often feel like allergies. Most people don’t have any of these reactions. Hemolytic transfusion reaction (your immune system tries to destroy transfused red blood cells).People can react in various ways to blood transfusions. What kind of reactions can happen from a blood transfusion? The precautions healthcare workers take have helped make transfusions very safe. You’re more likely to get struck by lightning than to get a disease from a transfusion. Bacterial contamination: 1 in 100,000 transfusions.Hepatitis C: 1 in 1.2 million donations.
For example, your chances of getting certain diseases from a transfusion are: However, the odds of this happening are very small. If there is any question that the blood is not safe, it is thrown away.Įven with these precautions, there’s a small chance something will go undetected in the screening process. Donated blood is tested according to national guidelines. Only the people who pass the blood donor requirements can donate blood. Blood banks ask potential donors questions about their health, behavior and travel history. The healthcare industry work hard to ensure the safety of blood used in transfusions. Talk to your healthcare provider for more specifics about your needs. Most transfusions take between one and three hours. How long a blood transfusion takes depends on many factors, including how much blood and/or blood component you need.