Guidelines for Appropriate and Safe Transfusion

Article information

J Korean Med Assoc. 2006;49(5):391-401
Publication date (electronic) : 2006 May 31
doi : https://doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2006.49.5.391
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Severance Hospital, Korea. hyunok1019@yumc.yonsei.ac.kr

Abstract

Transfusion can cause transfusion-transmitted diseases and various transfusion reactions. Recent improvements in the safety of blood supply and the increasing costs associated with transfusion therapies have led to a re-evaluation of the clinical practices of blood transfusion and blood conservation, which need practical guidelines for the use of constituent parts of blood. The traditional threshold of the hemoglobin concentration at 10g/dL for RBC transfusion has moved down to 7g/dL, and that of the platelet count at 20×109/L for platelet transfusion can also be lowered to 5×109/L. To improve the transfusion practice, as recommended by the guidelines, a prospective audit allied to educational programs can be effective in modifying the clinicians' practices of requesting transfusions.

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Article information Continued

Table 1

Guideline for the use of RBC transfusions

Table 1

Table 2

Guidelines for the use of prophylactic platelet transfusions

Table 2

Table 3

Is fresh frozen plasma clinically effective?-A systematic review of randomized controlled trials

Table 3

Summary of data reported by Stanworth et al, 2004

Table 4

Guidelines for the use of fresh-frozen plasma

Table 4

Table 5

A Comparison of proper transfusion rates according to guidelines

Table 5