Blood Transfusions

Your doctor may order a blood transfusion to increase the hemoglobin level and thus the amount of oxygen in your body. A blood transfusion means receiving blood products from a volunteer donor. Additional transfusions may be required in the future.

Several years ago, the Commission of Inquiry on the Blood System in Canada, presided over by Justice Krever, made several recommendations regarding informed consent, blood transfusions and alternatives. As with any medical treatment, when your doctor recommends a blood transfusion you have the right to be informed of the risks and benefits of both accepting and refusing treatment, as well as all alternatives available, and their risks and benefits. You have the right to ask questions and have sufficient time for the information to be understood.

In some cases, patients experience side effects from the transfusion such as infection, immediate transfusion reaction, graft-versus host disease and changes in immunity. Some people have reactions such as fever, redness and itching, and changes in blood pressure.

Blood is a scarce and precious resource.

Canadian Blood Services recommends that when possible, anemia should be treated with supplements or medications. If the patient cannot wait for other medications,the medications are counter-indicated or do not provide the required result, transfusion is recommended.