title: Transfusion-free treatment strategies for acute anemia in critical care.
abstract: Acute anemia is a frequently encountered diagnosis in critically ill patients, and can be a challenge if blood products are not readily available or if patients refuse these products on the basis of their religious beliefs. This article discusses the goals of anemia management and summarizes several alternatives to blood transfusions that can be used to prevent and treat acute anemia.
authors.affiliation: Caitlin A. Morgan practices family medicine at Northeast Community Clinics in Los Angeles, Calif. Sae Byul (Sarah) Ma is a clinical pharmacist and lecturer at the University of Southern California's School of Pharmacy in Los Angeles, Calif. Christopher P. Forest is an assistant professor of clinical family medicine and director of research at USC's Keck School of Medicine and practices urgent care and family medicine in Los Angeles, Calif. The authors have disclosed no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise.
authors.forename: Caitlin A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.forename: Sae
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Byul Sarah
authors.forename: Christopher P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Forest
mesh_terms: D000740:Anemia / Q000628:therapy*; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D003422:Critical Care; D016638:Critical Illness; D017707:Erythrocyte Transfusion; D006801:Humans; D016312:Treatment Refusal