Think Again About Blood Transfusion
SUKHIT PHAOSAVASDI, M.D.*, YUEN TANNIRANDORN, M.D.*, SURASAK TANEEPANICHSKUL, M.D.*, CHUMSAK PRUKSAPONG, M.D.**, PHINIT KULLAVANUAYA, M.D.***
Affiliation : * Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkom University, Bangkok 10330, ** Department of Surgery, Police Hospital, Bangkok 10330, *** Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkom University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
Every one knows or has heard about donating blood which is regarded as an honorable
act with high merit. People who donate blood are very proud of themselves, more so than donating
money, gold, or other valuables especially if the blood donated is of a rare type such as AB
Rh-ve.
It is now known that blood transfusion can be risky. If there is no real medical need for
it one should not give blood transfusion. However, the amount of blood available for transfusion
is still not enough for the needy patients.
There is a point to ponder, in terminal patients such as those with cancer of the cervix,
or are demented, immunocompromised if they do bleed from the gastrointestinal tact or sexual
organs, how will doctors help these patients? Should they give i.v. fluid, oxygen, and blood?
What ways of thinking should doctors have to lead to good, appropriate practice so that there will
be good cooperation from the patient's relative and professional colleagues? Also how should
doctors perform duty appropriately as someone who have been highly educated and longer trained
than the general public?
Keywords : Ethics, Blood Transfusion
