NoBlood

The following extract from a reply by Richard Spence gives an interesting comparison of costs from the US.
( http://www2.us.elsevierhealth.com/sc...ter&id=a120236 )


"In our ongoing analyses, we have priced the first unit of allogeneic transfusion in our hospital at $500. Subsequent units drop to $350 per unit with elimination of the need for a type and screen. These costs simply reflect the acquisition from either community blood banks or the American Red Cross, plus the cost of required testing. They do not include any other components of economic analysis. We are in the process of doing just this analysis.
We have also looked at the cost of recombinant erythropoietin and iron therapy. A full course of intravenous iron therapy for our patients costs just under $200. With this treatment, we are able to raise hemoglobin by 1 to 2 g within a 10- to 14-day period. Recombinant erythropoietin at a single dose of 600 U/kg in a 70-kg patient costs our institution approximately $450. A combination of 1 dose of recombinant erythropoietin, along with replacement iron therapy, will produce a 3 to 4 g rise in hemoglobin levels within 2 weeks. This is attained at the cost of approximately $600. Compare this with the cost of 3 to 4 units of allogeneic blood at $1500 to $1950 to attain the same rise in hemoglobin levels.
Although the authors mention hypervolemic hemodilution, they fail to mention acute normovolemic hemodilution. This process of collecting and saving the patients' own blood in the operating room is cost effective. The process for a 2 to 3 unit collection costs us between $150 and $200. This approach is also successful in avoiding transfusion."

Richard K. Spence, MD, FACSDirector, Surgical Education, Director, Alabama Center for Transfusion Alternatives, Birmingham, Ala

Is anyone aware of similar stats for areas outside of the US?
Details of authoritative stats would be most welcome.