www.emtldr.com

Useful numbers / perspective for consenting patients for a blood transfusion.

The brief summary is: “Mild transfusion reactions are very common, rash/itch/mild fever at the time of the transfusion. The risk of this is the same as the risk of getting a tummy upset from antibiotics, or being diagnosed with common illnesses like coeliac disease. More severe reactions such as lung damage or blood cell damage, or very severe allergic reactions are quite uncommon – similar to the risk of getting into a car accident or dying from a workplace accident in the coming year. Extremely rare conditions, like HIV/CJD/Graft vs Host are very uncommon, and is similar to the risk of being in a car accident on the way to hospital.”

High risk (1:50. Same as risk of getting GIT side effects from abx)
Rash / itch

Moderate Risk (1:100. Same chance of being diagnosed with coeliac disease)
fever
overload (TACO)

Low Risk (same as car accident in 1 year)
TRALI
Delayed haemolytic reaction

Very Low Risk (same as risk of dying from a workplace accident over 1 year)
Anaphylaxis
Acute Haemolysis

Very Low (same as risk of dying from a train accident over 1 year)
Red Cell Sepsis (1:500,000)

Unknown / Extremely Low
Graft vs host / CJD / TRIM.