title: Guidelines for the use of blood transfusions.
abstract: Over 11 million units of red blood cells are transfused each year in the United States at a cost of over $2 billion. This paper reviews the indications for and the risks of red blood cell transfusions, and provides guidelines for transfusions in both surgical and non-surgical settings.
authors.affiliation: West Virginia Medical Institute, Charleston, USA.
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Stephens
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Stevenson
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Beall
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Heiskell
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Mossburg
mesh_terms: D000740:Anemia / Q000628:therapy; D001787:Blood Group Incompatibility; D001804:Blood Transfusion, Autologous; D017707:Erythrocyte Transfusion / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000635:transmission; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000635:transmission; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors