Blood transfusions are fairly common, often utilized during the treatment of various diseases or medical conditions, such as kidney disease, infection, and cancer, or during surgical procedures. Understanding what blood transfusion is, how it works, and how it is performed will help take some of the mystery out of the process. As a result, you need not fear the process, just realize that it can save lives.
Definition
A blood transfusion is a procedure that replaces blood lost in the event of a traumatic injury or during an operation, or when the body is unable to produce enough blood because of illness or disease.
Before the Blood Transfusion
Before a transfusion can take place, the health care provider must make sure the blood of the donor matches the recipient. There are four blood types: A, B, AB, and O. Another important detail is the Rh factor. A person is either Rh positive or Rh negative. Blood types must match or serious complications such as rejection can occur. This is because each blood type contains different antibodies. A technician will determine your blood type by pricking your finger or drawing blood from a vein in your arm. If the blood is drawn from your arm, the technician will gently tie a rubber tube around your arm above the elbow, which helps the veins in your arm stand out. Then, he/she will gently palpate the vein just beneath the inside of the arm below the elbow. Then, a needle will be inserted into the vein and blood drawn, filling stoppered tubes that are placed over the needle access device.
During the Blood Transfusion
A technician (or your doctor or nurse) will wrap a plastic strap or tube on your upper arm to help bring the vein into view. Then, the technician will swab the area with alcohol to ensure it's clean. Then, a needle will be inserted into the vein, most often found on the inside of your arm, just below the elbow crease. This needle access device will then be attached to an IV (intravenous) line. Donor blood will be infused into this line. The donor blood is stored in plastic bags that are hung from an IV pole. This process may take anywhere from one to four hours, depending on how much blood you need.
After the Blood Transfusion
The health care provider will disconnect the IV line and carefully remove the needle from your arm. Then, he or she will monitor your temperature and blood pressure and listen to your heart rate to make sure you are not suffering from any reactions. In some cases, your arm may be sore and bruised for a few days, but discomfort is typically minimal.
Blood Transfusion Process Protocol
In most medical settings, a blood transfusion process takes a number of predetermined steps. In most scenarios, the patient is identified and given a wrist band with name, date of birth, and medical ID number. You will (if able) be required to sign an Informed Consent card or paper. The order for blood is then transmitted to the blood bank, along with your blood sample for typing and cross-matching before delivery.
Tags: Blood Transfusion, technician will, your blood, access device, below elbow, blood drawn