J Korean Med Assoc.  2006 May;49(5):391-401. 10.5124/jkma.2006.49.5.391.

Guidelines for Appropriate and Safe Transfusion

• Kim HO

• KMID: 2064946
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2006.49.5.391

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 x 10(9)/L for platelet transfusion can also be lowered to 5 x 10(9)/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.

Keyword

Blood; Transfusion; Guidelines

MeSH Terms

Blood Group Incompatibility
Blood Transfusion
Platelet Count
Platelet Transfusion

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