How Is Blood Used?
Typically, each unit of whole blood is separated into three components,
or "products":
- Red blood cells for bleeding and anemia (shelf life: 42 days).
- Platelets for bleeding and low platelet counts (shelf life:
5 days).
- Plasma to provide clotting factors (shelf life: can be frozen
up to 1 year).
Some of the more common uses for blood are: surgeries, transplants, trauma
patients, premature infants, and ongoing treatment for diseases like cancer
and sickle cell anemia.
Following are some situations in which blood is needed, followed by
how much of it is needed:
Accident Victims—usually between 4 and 100+ units, depending
on the injury.
Orthopedic Surgery (such as hip replacement or repair)—usually
between two and eight units.
Open Heart Surgery—between two and eight units (can be
much more in the event of complications).
Neurosurgery (spinal/brain surgery)—regularly two to four
units.
Premature Babies—who sometimes receive blood once a day
until they are strong enough to go home. Can be used to provide blood
to an infant for up to 42 days.
Burns
Aneurysm—and other vascular surgery
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