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Critical care nurse · Feb 2011
ReviewPacked red blood cell transfusions in critically ill patients.
- Tara Ann Collins.
- Hospital of University of Pennsylvania, Rhoads 5 SICU, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. tara.collins@uphs.upenn.edu
- Crit Care Nurse. 2011 Feb 1;31(1):25-33; quiz 34.
AbstractAnemia, which is prevalent in critically ill patients, often requires frequent blood transfusions. These blood transfusions are not without risks. A critical review of 6 studies shows an association between red blood cell transfusion and increased mortality. However, when disease state was adjusted for in 2 studies, researchers found that red blood cell transfusion correlated with decreased mortality. Thus further research, particularly on leukoreduction and age of stored blood, must be done before a change in practice can be implemented. It is vital that nurses stay current on this research in order to improve patients' outcomes.
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