An Evaluation of Blood-Transfusion Practices on a Surgical Service

ONE of the great advances in surgical therapy during the past two decades has been the advent of the blood bank. Many major operations are undertaken routinely today that would be impossible if adequate supplies of whole blood were not available. Many victims of major trauma owe their lives to the rapid administration of large quantities of blood while surgeons controlled and corrected their injuries.However, the very availability of whole blood makes it easy for the surgeon today to order a transfusion without giving due thought to the indications for and the hazards associated with the administration of blood. . . .