Safe Blood Transfusion

Blood Transfusion   

Blood transfusion is done to restore the body’s blood level. This procedure is safe when established procedures are followed.    

Examples of reasons for blood transfusion   

• Loss of blood from accidents, childbirth, or surgery   
• Cancer   
• Sickle cell disease   
• Kidney or liver disease   

Safe blood transfusion   

Safe blood transfusion involves:   

1.  Ensuring the right blood is given to the right patient. This is done by checking blood groups of the person donating blood and the person receiving it.   

• Blood groups are identified using letters A, B and O.    
• There are people who have a combination of A and B (AB).    
• Blood group O is a universal donor which means someone with this blood group can donate to any of the other blood groups (A, B, AB), but can only receive group O blood.   
• Blood group AB can receive from any other blood group (A, B, AB, O).    
• Blood group A can receive from only A and O.   
• Blood group B can receive from only B and O.      
•  
• 2. Checking for rhesus factor compatibility   

Rhesus factor is a protein found on the surface of red blood cells. This factor is inherited. An individual could be rhesus positive or negative. The blood group and rhesus factor are pronounced as a whole. e.g. O+, O-, A+. If this vital factor isn’t considered, it might cause complications. Someone whose blood is rhesus negative can only receive rhesus negative blood while someone who is rhesus positive can receive either rhesus positive or negative blood.   

3.  Checking the blood to make sure it does not contain infections that can be transmitted via blood transfusion such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV.    

Blood transfusion is one of the most common life-saving procedures done in healthcare settings across the world. However, it could lead to serious conditions if not done properly. Therefore, before blood transfusion is done, all the boxes must be checked to ensure the blood is not contaminated and is the right match for the patient.