Transfusion support during mass casualty events

Heidi Doughty; Laura Green

doi:10.1016/j.bja.2021.07.027

Transfusion support during mass casualty events

Br J Anaesth. 2022 Feb;128(2):e75-e79. doi: 10.1016/j.bja.2021.07.027. Epub 2021 Sep 6.

Authors

Heidi Doughty¹, Laura Green²

Affiliations

¹ NHS Blood and Transplant, UK; NIHR Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology Research Centre, Birmingham, UK. Electronic address: [email protected].
² NHS Blood and Transplant, UK; Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK; Blizzard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.

PMID: 34503826
DOI: 10.1016/j.bja.2021.07.027

Abstract

Transfusion support is an essential element of modern emergency healthcare. Blood services together with hospital transfusion teams are required to prepare for, and respond to, mass casualty events as part of wider healthcare emergency planning. Preparedness is a constant collaborative process that actively identifies and manages potential risks, to prevent such events becoming a 'disaster'. The aim of transfusion support during incidents is to provide sufficient and timely supply of blood components and diagnostic services, whilst maintaining support to other patients not involved in the event.

Keywords: blood banking; blood transfusion; emergency planning; mass casualty events; transfusion triage.

Publication types

Editorial

MeSH terms

Blood Component Transfusion / methods
Blood Transfusion / methods*
Cooperative Behavior
Disaster Planning / organization & administration*
Emergency Medical Services / organization & administration*
Humans
Mass Casualty Incidents*
Patient Care Team / organization & administration