ABSTRACT
The decision to transfuse blood and blood components should be based on an assessment
of the risks and benefits of such treatment, as well as on the availability and relative effec-
tiveness of alternative therapies. Although a large amount of information regarding the
known risks of transfusion is available, objective information about the indications and
benefits of transfusion is not as extensive or as readily quantified. Because data on indi-
cations are not definitive, transfusion practice is not standardized. Consequently, patients
may either be under-transfused or over-transfused. A number of “expert panel” and con-
sensus conference guidelines on transfusion therapy have been published (1-4). Although
these publications are useful aids, they should not serve as a substitute for clinical judg-
ment in the transfusion decision-making process.
