SURGERY

Blood Management

February 22, 2018

Blood Management

Woman in chair donating blood.Are you scheduled for surgery? If so, you may worry about the need to replace blood lost during surgery. The goal is to keep the body’s normal levels of blood. Blood transfusion is a way to reach this goal. Your healthcare provider can tell you more about how to bank your own blood and other methods to prepare you for surgery. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about the risks and complications of the different blood management methods described below.

Getting ready for surgery

Getting ready for surgery may need some preparation. Take some time to plan for your blood management. Blood tests are done to check your blood levels and whether you have anemia (low red blood cell count). If you are banking your own blood, you need to be in good health and without medical problems. There are also certain weight requirements. You may also need to sign a consent form. Also, be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you are taking medicines of any kind.

Autologous blood transfusion

You may be able to donate and bank your own blood before surgery for later transfusion. This is called autologous blood donation. Your banked blood is replaced during or after surgery as needed. Autologous donations need advance planning. The time depends on the amount of blood needed. Another choice for autologous blood transfusion is to save blood that is lost during surgery. This blood is then returned to your body during or after surgery, if needed. Your own blood is the safest blood you can receive. The risks of getting a disease or an allergic reaction are very low. In some cases, though, you may also get donor blood if you were unable to donate enough blood before surgery.

Allogeneic blood transfusion

If you are not able to donate for yourself, you may have blood donated by another person (a blood bank donor). This is called allogeneic blood donation. This type of blood is screened for disease. And it is ready to use right away. Relatives and friends with your blood type can also donate blood for your use. This is called a designated (or directed) donor. Time is still needed to screen the blood for disease. Know that bank blood is considered safe.

Epoetin alfa

If you have a medical condition such as anemia (low red blood cell count), you may not be able to donate your own blood. If you are scheduled for elective, noncardiac, nonvascular surgery, another choice for blood management includes injections of a medicine called epoetin alfa (erythropoietin). This medicine helps increase the amount of red blood cells in the blood. It also reduces the need for allogeneic blood transfusion. Epoetin alfa is given in daily or weekly doses at a healthcare provider’s office or you can be taught to give yourself the injections.

Sources of iron

If you are donating your own blood or if you have anemia (low red blood cell count), you may need extra iron. An iron supplement may be prescribed. Take it with vitamin C for better absorption. Some foods, medicines, and supplements can interfere with absorption or iron from the intestines. Eating foods that contain iron may also benefit you. Iron-rich foods include red meat, beans, nuts, and raisins.

Updated:  

February 22, 2018

Sources:  

Treatment of Iron Deficiency Anemia in Adults. UpToDate

Reviewed By:  

Fetterman, Anne, RN, BSN,Gersten, Todd, MD,Image reviewed by StayWell art team.