Quick Blood Transfusions Can Increase survival Rates among Injured Patients
Quick Blood Transfusions Can Increase survival Rates among Injured Patients, according to a new study which analyzed data on trauma victims.
Researchers compared data for 240 patents who received blood transfusions while being flown to a trauma center with 480 patients who did not. Those who received a blood transfusion were more likely to survive the first day after injury.
According to study author Dr. Joshua Brown, this is because blood transfusions can prevent the severely injured patients from going into shock due to loss of blood. A blood transfusion early on also reduces the need for more transfusions later at the hospital. Severe bleeding is a major cause of death in trauma patients. As a result,the practice of giving blood transfusion to trauma patients while being flown to a hospital is increasing in the US.
Dr. Brown points out some of the challenges in providing blood transfusions when airlifting injured patients to hospitals – the most important being a freezer or cooler that can store blood at the required temperature.
The study was published online Feb. 11 in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons.
Category: News
