 |
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| I have heard that in some medical procedures I can have
my own blood back instead of having a traditional blood transfusion: |
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| Q1: |
What
is the benefit of receiving back my own blood rather than having bank blood? |
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| A: |
Autologous
transfusion is generally considered to be safer than using bank blood because it
reduces the risk of the transmission of blood-borne disease and infection such
as HIV. Research has shown that having your own blood returned to you following
surgery may improve post operative response, diminish the risk of side effects
and may also help to reduce the length of your stay in hospital. |
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| Q2: |
In
what procedures can I elect to have my own blood back? |
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| A: |
If your
operation is for a total knee replacement, total hip replacement or in some
spinal operations you may be able to have your own blood back. However, you must
seek guidance from your medical adviser on whether it is appropriate in your
case. |
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| Q3: |
How
does the process of receiving back my own blood work? |
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| A: |
You can
get your blood back in a number of ways – Predeposit (where you give blood
several weeks before a planned operation. This is then stored and given back to
you when required), Intra-operative collection (this is when your blood is
collected and given back during your operation) and Postoperative (when your
blood is collected and given back after your operation). |
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| Q4: |
What
is Post-Operative Autologous Blood Transfusion and how does it work? |
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| A: |
Post-Operative
Autologous (pronounced Or-Tol-O-Gus) Transfusion is when your blood is collected
after the operation. Once collected, using a wound drain placed at the site of
the procedure, your blood will then be reinfused back into your body. |
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| Q5: |
Why
haven’t I heard about this form of blood transfusion before? |
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| A: |
Autologous
blood transfusion is not a new form of blood transfusion. It is a tried, trusted
and safe method of transfusing blood. It has been used for over a decade in some
UK hospitals, and is widely available in many countries, including the USA.
However, in the UK, the NHS has traditionally performed blood transfusions using
mostly donated blood. |
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| The
Department of Health is now directing hospitals within the NHS to offer patients
autologous blood transfusions where appropriate, as it recognises the advantages
to the patient and the NHS of using this form of blood transfusion. |
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| Q6: |
I
have heard the phrase Autotransfusion, what is this? |
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| A: |
Autotransfusion
is an alternative word for autologous transfusion. |
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| Q7: |
Will
having autologous blood transfusion affect my treatment or recovery? |
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| A: |
Having a
post-operative autologous blood transfusion should not affect the way in which
the procedure is performed. In addition it may actually speed up your recovery.
Having back your own blood reduces the risk of suffering a reaction to the
transfusion, which can happen when having a blood transfusion with donated
blood. |
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| Q8: |
Who do
I speak to, to gain more advice on receiving a post-operative autologous blood
transfusion and find out if my hospital provides this transfusion method? |
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| A: |
If you
are going into hospital for a hip or knee replacement, there are a number of
people to discuss post-operative autologous blood transfusion with, namely: |
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- Your general practitioner (GP)
- Hospital Patients Advocate
- The Pre-admissions Nurse dealing with the operation you are entering
hospital for
- The consultant in charge of the procedure
- Visit the Hospital Information Centre
|
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| It
is important to note however that specific procedures for individual patients
can vary widely and the guidance of your medical advisers, who are in the best
position to address any concerns or questions you may have, should always be
paramount in any decision concerning your treatment. |
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| Q9: |
When
should I let my hospital know that I want to have an autologous blood
transfusion? |
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| A: |
You
should make it clear at the earliest opportunity to everyone involved in your
procedure that you would like to consider having a post operative autologous
blood transfusion. |
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| Q10: |
What
should I do if I want my own blood back, but my hospital does not make the
autologous blood transfusion option available? |
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| A: |
You must
seek advice from the hospital’s Patient Advocate who will be based at the
hospital you are visiting. Ensure you do this prior to being admitted for your
operation. |
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| Q11: |
Are
there any reasons why I cannot have my own blood back? |
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| A: |
In
certain circumstances you may not be able to have an autologous blood
transfusion. Reasons for not being able to have one can include underlying
medical conditions, health, age, and type of procedure taking place. |
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| When
considering an autologous blood transfusion you must seek guidance from those
people within hospital who will be treating you and providing consultation. |
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| Q12: |
Are
there any risks of my blood being infected through an autologous blood
transfusion? |
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| A: |
Your
blood is collected at the bedside following the operation and is reinfused
without the need for additional screening. Therefore the risks of infection are
reduced. In addition the risk of incorrect blood type being given is eliminated. |
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| Q13: |
Do I
need to prepare anything in order to receive Post- Operative Autologous Blood? |
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| A: |
There are
no special requirements for receiving post-operative autologous blood. Your
consultant will tell you if it is an option that suits your medical situation.
|
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| Q14: |
Will I
need to operate any equipment when having post-operative autologous blood
reinfused? |
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| A: |
No. The
nurse who will be looking after you should be fully trained to operate the
equipment that collects your blood. Reinfusion of post-operative autologous
blood is handled in the same strict way as donated blood. |
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| Q15: |
Can
post-operative autologous blood be used for every knee, hip and spinal surgery? |
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| A: |
In
certain circumstances you may be unable to have post-operative autologous blood.
This may be due to medical conditions, health, age, types of procedure etc. at
the time of the operation. |
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| You
must seek guidance from your medical adviser on whether it is applicable for
your operation at the time of consultation. |
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| Q16: |
Will I
need to have bank blood if I have autologous blood? |
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| A: |
In some
cases there will still be a need to use bank blood for a blood transfusion. You
must seek guidance from your medical adviser on whether it is applicable for
your operation at the time of consultation. |
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| If
bank blood does need to be used, then the amount needed will generally be
significantly less than if you did not initially receive post-operative
autologous blood. |
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| Q17: |
How
can I obtain a copy of the Patient Leaflet? |
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| A: |
There are
a number of ways to get a copy of the leaflet: |
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| 1. |
Send an email request to
info@summit-medical.co.uk and a leaflet will be sent out to you free of charge. |
| 2. |
Speak to your GP practice who
should have the leaflet in stock. |
| 3. |
Pick up a leaflet at your
hospital. |
