Patient Education
CARE AND TREATMENT
Transfusion of Blood and Blood Products
It is important
to tell your
doctor or nurse
if you have had a
reaction to blood
or blood products
in the past.
Blood provides needed oxygen and nourishment to the body.
It also assists by carrying away the waste products of the cells.
Blood is made up of:
■ Red blood cells (RBCs), which carry oxygen to the tissues and
organs of the body.
■ White blood cells (WBCs), which protect the body from
infection.
■ Platelets, the small cells that help the blood to clot and stop
bleeding.
■ Plasma, the liquid part of whole blood that contains proteins
that help the blood to clot.
A transfusion of blood or blood products may be needed due to
surgery, injuries or certain conditions or diseases. This transfer of
blood or blood products can be:
■ From one person to another (donor or allogeneic).
■ Self-donated (autologous).
An autologous donation is sometimes done prior to a planned
surgery or medical procedure.
Benefits and Risks
Your doctor or advanced practice nurse will review the need for and the risks and benefits
of the transfusion with you. You will be asked to consent to the transfusion in writing. If you
have any questions or concerns, please talk with your doctor or nurse.
There is some risk with every medical procedure, including transfusion, but certain
safeguards have been put in place.
All blood donors must answer questions about their health and lifestyle before donating
blood. Once the blood is donated, it is carefully tested for infectious diseases. Blood that
does not pass testing is destroyed. Prior to each transfusion, careful measures are taken to
assure that the proper blood product is given to the correct patient.
Before the Transfusion
For donated or allogeneic transfusion, a small amount of your blood is tested to make sure
that it is a safe match with the donor blood. Your blood is checked for:
Blood type (A, AB, B, O).
■ Rh Factor (Positive or Negative).
■ Antibodies (which may cause problems during the transfusion).
■
In some cases, an added blood sample is needed to complete the matching process.
When the blood samples are taken, a small sticker is placed on your hospital ID bracelet
or photo ID (for outpatients). Do not remove the sticker or ID bracelet until you are told
to do so by a healthcare team member. Before transfusing each blood product, two
members of the healthcare team check the the code on the sticker. An IV (into the vein)
line is inserted in your arm or hand. (Patients with a central venous line usually do not
need to have an added IV line started.)
It is important to tell your doctor or nurse if you have had a reaction to blood or blood
products in the past.
During the Transfusion
You may eat, drink and move around during the transfusion unless advised otherwise.
Some blood products, such as platelets, are given over a short period of time. Other
blood products, such as red blood cells, may take as long as 4 hours to transfuse.
The nurse monitors you closely before, during and after each transfusion.
Tell your healthcare team if you:
■ Have difficulty breathing.
■ Have itching, rash or hives.
■ Feel hot or cold.
■ Feel sick to your stomach.
■ Have a headache, back or chest pain.
■ Have pain or swelling at the IV site.
After the Transfusion
You can return to your normal activities after the transfusion. Sometimes you can have
a delayed reaction to a transfusion. Although rare, call your healthcare team if you have
a fever, dark urine or if the whites of your eyes become yellow (this is a symptom of
jaundice).
Health Care Team Member��������������������������������������������������
Telephone Number��������������������������������������������������������
Para asistencia en español, por favor llamar al Departamento de Representantes para Pacientes al 312-926-3112.
The entities that come together as Northwestern Medicine are committed to representing the communities we serve, fostering a culture of inclusion, delivering
culturally competent care, providing access to treatment and programs in a nondiscriminatory manner and eliminating healthcare disparities. For questions, please
call either Northwestern Memorial Hospital’s Patient Representatives Department at 312-926-3112, TDD/TTY 312-944-2358 and/or the Northwestern Medical Group
Patient Representatives Department at 312-926-1920, TDD/TTY 312-695-3661.
Developed by: Blood Bank Department and Oncology Nursing
©June 2014 Northwestern Medicine
For additional information about Northwestern Memorial Hospital, please visit our website at www.nmh.org.
900774 (06/14)