When You Need a Transfusion

Can Adverse Health Effects Result from a Transfusion?
Physicians prescribe transfusions to millions of patients each year. Adverse effects associated with the procedure are unusual. Donor screening procedures, the use of sterile blood collection equipment, and highly effective laboratory testing combine to nearly eliminate the risk of infectious disease transmission. Weighing the benefits of transfusion against the risk can help patients put the risk into perspective.

The risk of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus—the virus that causes AIDS) and hepatitis (B or C) infection from a blood transfusion has been all but eliminated due to improved laboratory testing. The risk of exposure to HIV is estimated to be approximately 1 in 2.5 million or less per unit. Since 1985, no patient has been reported to have contracted HIV from a transfusion provided by Puget Sound Blood Center. The risk of hepatitis C infection is estimated to be approximately 1 in 1 million or less per unit, and the risk of hepatitis B, approximately 1 in 750,000 or less per unit. Bacterial infection and other types of infection from a transfusion are possible, although also unlikely.

This information pamphlet does not serve as a substitute for the transfusion consent process as conducted by the patient’s hospital or physician, nor for an explanation of the need for a transfusion.