Blood transfusions are life-saving procedures that can treat many chronic illnesses or help stabilize patients after surgery. If your doctor recommends blood transfusions, you may be worried about the process or concerned about the risks involved. Below are answers to questions patients often have about transfusion medicine.

What to Know About Blood Transfusions

What are blood transfusions?

A blood transfusion is a medical procedure in which blood from donors is transferred into your body. In rare cases, doctors may give a patient whole blood, but fluids are normally separated so doctors can give you only what you need.

Depending on your needs, doctors might give you red blood cells, which carry oxygen and nutrients throughout your body. You may also receive plasma, the liquid part of blood, or platelets, which help with clotting.

How long do blood transfusions take?

The amount of time any blood transfusion will take depends on how much fluid the patient needs. In general, you can expect a transfusion to take four hours per bag of blood or blood products.

Are blood transfusions safe?

Providers of blood and blood products are strictly regulated, and donations are tested at every step of the process between collection and the transfusion. This makes transfusion medicine safe, with only extremely rare incidents of disease transmission.

Are there any side effects I should know about?

You might experience an allergic reaction, which usually includes a rash or hives. You might also have a slight fever or chills after a blood transfusion. Fortunately, both side effects usually resolve themselves after a few hours.

In rare cases, a transfusion can overwhelm the circulatory system, resulting in fluid buildup in the lungs. Doctors monitor patients for these side effects, which can usually be treated without any long-term effects.

For over 35 years, Summit Pathology has been doctors, hospitals, and patients throughout Colorado, Wyoming, and Nebraska. Their state-of-the-art testing technology ensures that transfusion medicine products are safe to use and that your condition is accurately diagnosed. Visit their website for an overview of their pathology services, or call (970) 212-0530 with any questions.