Anaesthetists viewed the risk-benefit balance of acute transfusion as overwhelmingly weighted toward benefit compared to the small risk of infection, which posed no significant barrier to the use of blood or blood products. Read more about Anaesthetists viewed the risk-benefit balance of acute transfusion as overwhelmingly weighted toward benefit compared to the small risk of infection, which posed no significant barrier to the use of blood or blood products.
The threshold of when to transfuse during a postpartum haemorrhage has evolved from a haemoglobin level of 10g/dl in 1982, to 8g/dl in 2007 and to 7g/dl by 2019. Read more about The threshold of when to transfuse during a postpartum haemorrhage has evolved from a haemoglobin level of 10g/dl in 1982, to 8g/dl in 2007 and to 7g/dl by 2019.
In cases of acute massive blood loss, the amount of blood required is normally determined by the volume of blood lost. Patients who refuse transfusion in the context of haemorrhage have a six-times increased risk of maternal death. Read more about In cases of acute massive blood loss, the amount of blood required is normally determined by the volume of blood lost. Patients who refuse transfusion in the context of haemorrhage have a six-times increased risk of maternal death.
Dr David Bogod told the Inquiry that, throughout his career, transfusion was regarded as a rarely-used but valuable resource that was to be used sparingly due to low supply and cost. Read more about Dr David Bogod told the Inquiry that, throughout his career, transfusion was regarded as a rarely-used but valuable resource that was to be used sparingly due to low supply and cost.
A hospital transfusion practitioner at the Morriston Hospital devised a transfusion record chart to aid record keeping and enhancing traceability of transfused components. This was subsequently used across Wales. Read more about A hospital transfusion practitioner at the Morriston Hospital devised a transfusion record chart to aid record keeping and enhancing traceability of transfused components. This was subsequently used across Wales.
Dr Thomas became a key proponent of the red cell salvage technique, which led to transfusions in total knee replacement surgery decreasing from 82% to 27% and then to 7%. Read more about Dr Thomas became a key proponent of the red cell salvage technique, which led to transfusions in total knee replacement surgery decreasing from 82% to 27% and then to 7%.
In Wales, it was common amongst orthopaedic surgeons at the Morriston Hospital to transfuse two to three units when performing total knee replacements. Read more about In Wales, it was common amongst orthopaedic surgeons at the Morriston Hospital to transfuse two to three units when performing total knee replacements.
There were no digital versions of national transfusion guidance initially, and the British Committee for Standards in Haematology guidelines on platelets were rarely read by clinicians. Read more about There were no digital versions of national transfusion guidance initially, and the British Committee for Standards in Haematology guidelines on platelets were rarely read by clinicians.
In his written evidence to the Inquiry, Professor Goldstone noted that there had been an increasing tendency over the past 30 years to think twice about the administration of any blood product on grounds of risk. Read more about In his written evidence to the Inquiry, Professor Goldstone noted that there had been an increasing tendency over the past 30 years to think twice about the administration of any blood product on grounds of risk.
The transfusion threshold fell over the years, as patients with lymphoma required fewer red cells and platelet transfusions. However, treatment with aggressive chemotherapy still involved transfusion, and patients with myeloma frequently required red cells but rarely platelets. Read more about The transfusion threshold fell over the years, as patients with lymphoma required fewer red cells and platelet transfusions. However, treatment with aggressive chemotherapy still involved transfusion, and patients with myeloma frequently required red cells but rarely platelets.