Transfusions are overused in modern medicine – How can we limit their utilization to save blood and lives?
Several billions of dollars are spent on blood orders and transfusion procedures. It is not only the cost associated with it but also patient outcomes. Two studies detailed in the Nature article show that reducing the number of transfusions is leading to huge savings and to a decreased mortality. Even tough transfusions can be lifesaving, they are often unnecessary and are sometimes even harmful.
If a patient is healthy enough to get by without a transfusion, the doctor will not order blood for him. Less is more.
Using less transfusion is now globally recommended but changing established medical practice is a real challenge as sometimes doctors do not follow recommendations.
Nature Article (free access) Transfusion Medicine History
