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Unveiling the mysteries of blood transfusion

An open invitation to visit the blood transfusion laboratory at the Royal Cornwall Hospital this week is part of a UK campaign by the National Blood Service to raise awareness of blood transfusion and the important part it plays in the treatment of a wide range of medical conditions.

Transfusion Practitioner, Debbie Thomas, who is co-ordinating events at the hospital, said, “Most people probably only think about blood transfusions being used in emergency situations when patients receive vital units to replace massive blood loss. Increasingly we are using cell salvage techniques to re-use a patient’s own blood during surgery but there are also lots of other ways that transfusions and blood products play a part in modern treatment, the most common is the replacement of red blood cells for anaemic patients.”

“The idea of blood transfusion awareness week is to get a better understanding of what is involved, so that patients can be more prepared and less apprehensive if they find they need a transfusion either during an operation or as part of other treatment. It’s also to let people know more about all the identity checks that are made and the processes that blood donations go through that make today’s transfusions safe”, added Debbie.

The Royal Cornwall Hospital blood transfusion department provides blood for more than 7000 transfusions each year. Patients can receive their transfusion either at one of the Trust’s three hospitals, in a community hospital, hospice or even in their own home.

One patient who regularly benefits from blood transfusion as part of his treatment said. “I gave blood as a youngster – that’s where the best girls were! I still have the tea-stained card from way back in the fifties to remind me. Now, virtually half a century later, I’m getting my own back – every three weeks, two units of the stuff. And what a transformation achieved! I’ve somehow mislaid the technique of producing my own red blood cells. Highly inconvenient at best, grossly debilitating at worst. But transfusions keep me going, keep me sane, keep me grateful. Each and every one meticulously prepared, checked and cross-checked especially for me. Bloody marvellous!”

Short, 15-minute tours of the blood transfusion laboratory will take place on the hour between 10 am and 4 pm on Monday 23rd, Wednesday 25th and Friday 27th April. The visits are open to staff, patients and visitors at the Royal Cornwall Hospital and anyone interested should meet at the Blood Transfusion Laboratory, which is in the Link Corridor between the Trelawny Wing and Tower Block. Visits will be restricted to groups of 6 on a first come, first served basis.