Blood Transfusion Guidelines

Blood Types

• There are four blood types: A, B, AB, and O. A person's blood is either Rh positive or Rh negative. A person undergoing a blood transfusion must receive blood that matches his type or he can become extremely ill. Type O blood is usually safe for everyone and about 40 percent of the population has this universal blood type. A person with AB blood is said to be a universal receiver.
  
  

Blood Banks

• A blood bank screens, tests, stores, and collects blood. It makes sure that donated blood is clean and healthy for those who may need blood through a transfusion. A blood bank also determines the blood type.
  
  

Preparing for a Transfusion

• Some blood banks remove white blood cells when they prepare blood for a transfusion. This is called white cell reduction. This is because some people are allergic to donated white blood cells.
  
  

Banking Your Own Blood

• Some people will "bank" their own blood before a surgery where the loss of blood is frequent. He will have his blood drawn one or more times before the surgery and the blood bank will store it.
  
  

Blood From Family or Friends

• Sometimes people opt to receive blood that has been donated by friends or family who have the same blood type. However, blood received from close relatives is more likely to cause serious immune reactions and must be treated with radiation before to prevent reactions. Women of childbearing age should not receive blood from their children or husband because it may interfere with future pregnancies.
  
  

Fees

• While volunteers donate blood, there are fees involved. Blood centers charge a fee to the hospitals for their services and additional fees are incurred when an individual stores her own blood. Hospitals also charge a fee for lab work and the procedure itself, which is billed to the patient receiving the blood.