A blood transfusion is a medical procedure in which a person is given whole blood or a blood component via an intravenous (IV) line inserted into one of their blood vessels.
Blood carries nutrients and oxygen to all body parts and replaces blood lost due to injury, surgery, or when your body does not produce blood properly. Our home nursing services in Vishakhapatnam offer blood transfusions at home.
What are the elements of blood?
- Red blood cells, RBC, carry oxygen around the body
- White blood cells which fight infection
- Platelets, which help the blood clot
Plasma contains proteins that help fight infection and play a vital role in the clotting mechanism.
Types of blood transfusions?
Volunteers donate the blood used for transfusions. If necessary, a person can collect blood and store it for a few weeks before the surgery. Four types of blood types can be provided by blood transfusions: red blood cells, platelets, whole blood, and plasma.
Red blood cell transfusions
People with iron deficiency or anemia, a condition in which the body does not have enough red blood cells, can receive a red blood cell transfusion. This transfusion increases the patient’s iron and hemoglobin levels while increasing the amount of oxygen in the body.
Platelet transfusions
Platelets are a blood component that helps prevent bleeding in the body. Cancer patients often have lower blood platelet counts because of chemotherapy. Other patients may be those who have leukemia or other cancers. When a patient’s body does not make enough platelets, they need frequent transfusions to stay healthy. And our bedside attendants’ services in Vishakhapatnam maintain the surroundings hygienically to prevent infections.
Plasma Transfusion
It is the fluid part of blood and comprises proteins and other essential substances for the body to function correctly. Plasma transfusions are common in patients with severe infections, liver failure, and burns.
Whole Blood Transfusion
A person goes for a whole blood transfusion if they have had significant traumatic bleeding from an accident, surgery, or injury and requires red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
What are the advantages of a blood transfusion at home? Here are the benefits of having a blood transfusion at home:
- Convenient, hassle-free, and can be done in the comfort of your own home.
- Personal care at home compared to a hospital room.
- It avoids the need to support family members to take days off work.
- Avoid hospital visits.
- Lower risk of nosocomial infections. Hassle-free process for obtaining consumables and other equipment needed for home transfusion.
- Inexpensive compared to a hospital.
Who Needs a Blood Transfusion?
Blood transfusions are essential when the body lacks enough blood to function correctly. For example, if a person has an accident and has suffered a severe injury or lost blood, they may need a blood transfusion. Some people need blood transfusions because of diseases or disorders, such as
- Anemia — occurs when a person’s blood does not contain enough red blood cells. It can be for many reasons, such as low levels of iron in the body, known as iron deficiency anemia. Hemophilia is a disorder caused by blood clotting in which a person’s blood cannot clot properly.
- Cancer: Occurs when cells in the body break apart and spread to surrounding tissues.
- Kidney Disease: Kidney failure is a significant cause of anemia. A patient may need a blood transfusion if the blood count is low despite iron supplementation.
- Sickle Cell Disease: Blood transfusions are an essential therapeutic intervention for patients with sickle cell disease. Hey, help increase the blood’s oxygen-carrying capacity and reduce vascular occlusion complications (crescent-shaped red blood cells restrict blood flow and deprive tissue of oxygen).
- Liver disease: A plasma transfusion replaces proteins in the blood that help it clot. It may be necessary after heavy bleeding or in patients with liver disease. And our home nursing services in Vishakhapatnam prevent bleeding in patients.
What reactions can occur with a blood transfusion?
Most patients do not develop a reaction to a blood transfusion. However, few patients may experience the following symptoms.
- Fever with chills
- Skin rash
- Abdominal pain
- Shortness of breath with wheezing
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Rapid heartbeat
- Dark colored urine
How safe is a blood transfusion? Blood transfusions are safe because donated blood is carefully tested, handled, and stored. However, there is a slight chance that your body will have a mild to severe reaction to the donated blood. And our bedside home attendant services in Vishakhapatnam ensure that reactions will not occur.
Other risks include heart, fever, lung complications, alloimmunization, and severe but rare reactions where donated white blood cells strike healthy tissues in your body.
If you develop a reaction during the blood transfusion, our home nursing services in Visakhapatnam assist the doctor and nurse with your condition and start emergency treatment. A patient will often develop a mild transfusion reaction that can be treated at home. In case of a severe reaction, the doctor will transfer the patient to the nearest hospital for further treatment.
