Easy Read
Patient Information -
All about
Blood Transfusions
Easy Read Patient Information - All about Blood Transfusions
Page 1
Contents What is a blood transfusion?.............Page 3
Why might I need a blood
transfusion?....................................Page 4-5
What does blood do?.......................Page 6-7
Can I reduce the need for a
blood transfusion?...........................Page 8-9
Do I have a choice?.........................Page 10
Are blood transfusions safe?.............Page 11
What will happen?...........................Page 12-19
Easy Read Patient Information - All about Blood Transfusions
Page 2
What is a blood transfusion?
A blood transfusion is to take blood from a well person.
This is a blood donor.
Then give the blood to a poorly
person, who needs it to feel well
again.
A blood transfusion is given through
a tube in to a vein in your arm.
Easy Read Patient Information - All about Blood Transfusions
Page 3
Why might I need a blood transfusion?
In emergency situations to
replace blood loss Some people might need a blood
transfusion after an operation.
Some people might need a blood
transfusion after having a baby.
Some people might need a blood
transfusion after a bad accident.
Easy Read Patient Information - All about Blood Transfusions
Page 4
Some people might need a blood
transfusion to treat anaemia.
Anaemia is when you do not have
enough red blood cells, which carry
oxygen around your body.
Some people might need a blood
transfusion to treat blood disorders
like leukaemia or myeloma.
Easy Read Patient Information - All about Blood Transfusions
Page 5
What does blood do?
Blood is pumped to every part of
your body by your heart. We cannot
live without blood.
Blood is made up of 4 different
things. This is what blood looks like
under a microscope.
1. Red blood cells - carry oxygen
around your body. Oxygen is in the
air we breathe.
Easy Read Patient Information - All about Blood Transfusions
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2. White cells - help to fight off any
germs or infection in your body.
3. Platelets - helps to stop bleeding
when you get a cut.
4. Plasma - liquid that makes up
most of the blood. It contains food
for your body to live off.
Easy Read Patient Information - All about Blood Transfusions
Page 7
Can I reduce the need for a blood transfusion?
Having lots of iron in your diet can
reduce the need for a blood
transfusion.
Iron is in foods like chicken, turkey,
red meats, eggs, fish, nuts, beans,
broccoli, brown bread and brown
rice.
Drinking orange juice at meal times
will help your body to take in iron.
Drinking tea with your meals can
make it harder for your body to take
in iron.
Easy Read Patient Information - All about Blood Transfusions
Page 8
Sometimes your doctor will give you
iron tablets to take.
Before an operation you will have a
blood test to check for anaemia or
low levels of iron.
If you take tablets that thin your
blood your doctor will talk to you
about stopping them before an you
have an operation.
Easy Read Patient Information - All about Blood Transfusions
Page 9
Do I have a choice?
You can say no if you wish.
NO
You need to know all the risks first.
Talk to your nurse or doctor if you do
not want a blood transfusion.
Some treatments or operations
cannot be done safely without a
blood transfusion.
Easy Read Patient Information - All about Blood Transfusions
Page 10
Are blood transfusions safe?
All blood is tested to make sure it is
as safe as possible.
There is always a small risk of
getting some reactions, symptoms
or even infections from having a
blood transfusion.
Your blood will be matched up to a
suitable type of blood that will be
given to you.
Easy Read Patient Information - All about Blood Transfusions
Page 11
What will happen?
Blood Transfusions are given at the
hospital on the wards if you are an
In-patient.
Or sometimes they can be given in
an out-patient clinic. Your doctor will
explain which is best for you.
A friend or relative can sometimes
stay with you when you have a blood
transfusion.
Easy Read Patient Information - All about Blood Transfusions
Page 12
A small sample of your blood will be
taken.
This is so we can match your blood
to the blood that you will be given.
You might be feeling tired and poorly
before the blood transfusion.
Easy Read Patient Information - All about Blood Transfusions
Page 13
You will meet different members of
staff. But 1 nurse will be looking after
you.
You will wear a wristband which will
have your name and birthday written
on it.
The nurse will check your blood
pressure, pulse and temperature.
This will keep happening while you
have the blood transfusion.
Easy Read Patient Information - All about Blood Transfusions
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The nurse will put a small tube in to
your arm.
The nurse will keep asking you your
name and birthday.
2 nurses will check the blood bag
and your wristband before it goes
through the tube and into your body.
Easy Read Patient Information - All about Blood Transfusions
Page 15
You will be given a buzzer to call the
nurse if you feel poorly.
1 bag of blood will take between 2
and 3 hours to go into your body.
2-3 hours
You can bring something to do.
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The nurse will check if you feel OK.
You can eat and drink as normal.
You might be given some tablets that
make you need a wee. Ask for help
to go to the toilet.
Easy Read Patient Information - All about Blood Transfusions
Page 17
When the blood transfusion has
finished the nurse will take the tube
out of your arm.
The nurse will ask you to press
some cotton wool on to your arm.
The nurse will put a plaster on your
arm.
Easy Read Patient Information - All about Blood Transfusions
Page 18
The doctor or nurse will tell you what
will happen next.
Get some rest and you should start
to feel better soon.
If you have any questions or worries
please talk to your nurse or doctor.
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Page 19
Other Easy Read Documents that might help - Having a
Blood Test and Having your Blood Pressure, Pulse &
Temperature Checked.
If you would like to speak to someone about this
information please call 01246 512640
We can arrange help if you use British Sign Language.
Someone can help if you do not speak English.
Please let us know before you come to the hospital.
Let us know if you need help to communicate.
For more information go to www.chesterfieldroyal.nhs.uk
Created by Ami Pashley & Blood Transfusion Team;
Janice Smith, Nicky Rollings & Virginia Pearson.
Created: September 2013
Review Date: September 2015
Special thanks to Blood Transfusion Team & Andrew Fletcher.
Approved by Chesterfield, Bolsover & North East
Derbyshire Reps on Board.
Funded by
Easy Read Patient Information - All about Blood Transfusions
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