Patients with leukaemia were often transfused with whole blood or red cell concentrates, and platelet concentrates were given to control bleeding associated with thrombocytopenia or because platelet levels had dropped. Read more about Patients with leukaemia were often transfused with whole blood or red cell concentrates, and platelet concentrates were given to control bleeding associated with thrombocytopenia or because platelet levels had dropped.
Patients with leukaemia, lymphoma or multiple myeloma often required a significant number of transfusions, and often would not have survived without them. Read more about Patients with leukaemia, lymphoma or multiple myeloma often required a significant number of transfusions, and often would not have survived without them.
The implementation of maximum surgical blood ordering schedules at the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary led to a reduction in the number of unnecessary whole blood transfusions as well as to a reduction in the number of transfusions per operation, which reduced the risk of adverse events associated with blood transfusions. Read more about The implementation of maximum surgical blood ordering schedules at the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary led to a reduction in the number of unnecessary whole blood transfusions as well as to a reduction in the number of transfusions per operation, which reduced the risk of adverse events associated with blood transfusions.
Dr George Galea described that he recalls teaching medical students about the risks of transfusions and that "the safest blood is the blood that's not given." He told students not to "go overboard" with using blood. Read more about Dr George Galea described that he recalls teaching medical students about the risks of transfusions and that "the safest blood is the blood that's not given." He told students not to "go overboard" with using blood.
Dr Robinson emphasised that the blood service has always recognised that it has a role in advising and educating clinicians as to the risks of blood and blood products and as to appropriate use of blood and good transfusion practice. Blood components should only be used when strictly necessary and in the absence of alternatives. Read more about Dr Robinson emphasised that the blood service has always recognised that it has a role in advising and educating clinicians as to the risks of blood and blood products and as to appropriate use of blood and good transfusion practice. Blood components should only be used when strictly necessary and in the absence of alternatives.
Dr Angela Robinson described that in the 1990s if a regional health authority was not prepared to fund a recommendation made by SACTTI "it was then difficult to implement it". Read more about Dr Angela Robinson described that in the 1990s if a regional health authority was not prepared to fund a recommendation made by SACTTI "it was then difficult to implement it".
There was a move towards undertaking audits at individual hospitals and on a national scale. Audits were also undertaken at RTCs. Read more about There was a move towards undertaking audits at individual hospitals and on a national scale. Audits were also undertaken at RTCs.
Dr Roger Moore described the process of, and attitudes towards giving a 'top up' of a unit or two of blood to aid recovery. Read more about Dr Roger Moore described the process of, and attitudes towards giving a 'top up' of a unit or two of blood to aid recovery.
Dr Roger Moore described the change in attitudes towards blood transfusions following the advent of AIDS. Read more about Dr Roger Moore described the change in attitudes towards blood transfusions following the advent of AIDS.
John Napier described that the preface to Dr Tony Napier's 1987 book on blood transfusion noted that "The recent and quite unexpected appearance of AIDS ... must serve to displace any feelings of complacency about the safety of transfusion that may have arisen". Read more about John Napier described that the preface to Dr Tony Napier's 1987 book on blood transfusion noted that "The recent and quite unexpected appearance of AIDS ... must serve to displace any feelings of complacency about the safety of transfusion that may have arisen".