RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Explaining the risks of blood transfusion to patients
JF Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine
JO Cleve Clin J Med
FD Cleveland Clinic
SP 396
OP 398
VO 57
IS 4
A1 Hoeltge, Gerald A.
A1 Sharp, David E.
YR 1990
UL http://www.ccjm.org/content/57/4/396.abstract
AB Many patients express concern about the risk of an infection from blood transfusion. Blood transfusion is one of the safest therapies available, but its risks should never be trivialized when talking with patients. The most common infectious complication is hepatitis C, which occurs in 2% to 4% of transfused patients. Hepatitis B occurs in fewer than 1% of such patients. The risk of HIV infection from a blood transfusion is less than 1 in 100,000 in the United States. Explanation of risks is most effective when comparisons are meaningful and phrased from the patient’s point of view.