Blood transfusion

About blood transfusions

If someone has experienced substantial bleeding during surgery or because of an accident, their blood volume may be too low to effectively carry oxygen around their body. In these circumstances, a blood transfusion - giving the person blood donated by someone else - can be lifesaving.

All donated blood is screened for blood-borne diseases such as hepatitis and HIV.

The 4 different blood types are A, B, AB and O, and each type is either Rh-positive or Rh-negative. (A person's blood type used to be called their 'Rhesus type' but now we simply say 'Rh type’.)

Want to learn more? What are blood types and why do they matter?

When a transfusion is given, it is important for a person to receive blood of a compatible (or matched) ABO and Rh group. However, in an emergency, if the required blood type is not known and there is not enough time to find out, a person may be given group O negative red blood cells. O negative is the universal blood type because it can be given to anyone in emergency situations. It is therefore in higher demand than any other blood type.

Blood carries oxygen and nutrients

All cells in the body need oxygen and nutrients, and to have their waste taken away. These are the main roles of the circulatory system. Using the network of arteries, veins and capillaries, blood ferries carbon dioxide to the lungs (for exhalation) and picks up oxygen. From the small intestine, the blood gathers food nutrients and delivers them to every cell.

Blood consists of:

• red blood cells - to carry oxygen
• white blood cells - that make up part of the immune system
• platelets - needed for clotting
• plasma - liquid in which blood cells, nutrients and wastes float.

When blood transfusion is needed

Some of the different conditions that require transfusion of blood or blood products include:

• Cancer - chemotherapy treatments can affect your body’s ability to produce red blood cells and platelets.
• Blood loss - when it is severe enough to affect blood volume and circulation, such as through surgery or an accident.
• Severe anaemia - when the blood can’t carry sufficient oxygen to the cells of the body.
• Bleeding disorders - that can prevent the blood from clotting or lead to spontaneous bleeding.
• Pregnancy and childbirth - to combat anaemia or bleeding, or to prevent haemolytic disease of the newborn and immune platelet disorders.
• Autoimmune disorders - patients with immune disorders can rely on blood products made from plasma to live normal healthy lives.

Read more about the reasons for having a blood transfusion.

Different types of blood collection

The main ways in which blood is collected include:

• Whole blood (homologous) collection - whole blood is collected from the donor, separated into different components and the necessary components are given as a transfusion to people with compatible blood types.
• Apheresis collection - only some components, either plasma or platelets, are taken from the blood of the donor. A machine separates the cells and gives the red blood cells, or red blood cells and plasma, back to the donor.

Other less common ways in which blood is collected include:

• Autologous collection - before a scheduled operation or transfusion, a person donates blood specifically for their own use. This is often when the person has a rare or hard to find blood type or to create specific blood products for them.
• Matched collection - where the donor has been identified as a match for a specific patient with a rare or complex blood group and has been asked to donate at a specific time to support that anonymous patient. These matched donations can end up anywhere in the world.

Transfusion adverse events

Negative reactions to receiving a blood transfusion are very rare. They are known as ‘transfusion adverse events’.

Most transfusion adverse events are mild - such as itching, fever, hives or rash - and can be treated easily. The most common adverse reaction to a blood transfusion is a mild fever, which occur in less than one in 1,000 transfusions. Most transfusion adverse events occur within 24 hours of a transfusion.

Severe reactions are very rare, but can be life-threatening. They need immediate treatment. A severe reaction may involve:

• breathing difficulties - which may be caused by severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), bacterial infection, red cell breakdown or transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI)
• high fever and shaking
• low blood pressure
• dark urine
• aches and pains.

If you experience any symptoms of a negative reaction to transfusion, let your healthcare team know immediately.

Donating blood

Blood supplies for transfusions rely upon blood being donated by volunteer blood donors. A blood donor needs to:

• be aged between 18 and 75 years
• weigh at least 50 kg
• be in good health, including normal temperature and blood pressure
• meet guidelines designed to protect the donor and the people who will receive their blood.

Learn more about donating blood.

Where to get help

• Your GP (doctor)
• Your surgeon
• Australian Red Cross Lifeblood Tel. 13 14 95 - to make an appointment to donate blood or for more information