NoBlood

The Australian

Contrary to their benign image, blood transfusions are overused and often harm patients, expert say. Lynnette Hoffman reports

• June 16, 2007

REFUSE at your own risk: for years that's the message doctors have relayed to Jehovah's Witnesses and others who've declined blood transfusions.

But transfusions are not the wonder procedure of popular, or even medical profession, imagination. Mounting evidence shows they significantly increase the risk of post-operative complications - including infections, kidney failure, lung injury and death. Yet instead of being saved as a last resort, they are still being performed when other safer options could be used instead.

In fact, more than 25 per cent of blood transfusions currently ...

Full Article

__________________
Sharon Grant
Editorial Team