Why Patients Receive Blood Transfusions
A Common Procedure
Blood transfusions are a very common medical procedure. A total of 21 million blood components are transfused each year in the United States alone.
Here are the reasons that a patient may undergo a blood transfusion:
- Most patients who have a major surgical procedure will have a blood transfusion to replace any blood loss during their surgery.
- Blood transfusions are used for patients who have experienced serious injuries from car crashes or natural disasters.
- Individuals with an illness that causes anemia, such as leukemia or kidney disease, will often be the recipients of blood transfusions.