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Blood Transfusion

Treatment Overview

Blood transfusion is a medical treatment to replace the blood or parts of blood that your body has lost. The blood goes through a tube from a bag to an intravenous (I.V.) catheter and into your vein.

You may need a blood transfusion after losing blood from an injury, a major surgery, an illness that causes bleeding, or an illness that destroys blood cells.

Transfusions are also used to give you the parts of blood—such as platelets, plasma, or substances that cause clotting—that your body needs to fight an illness or stop bleeding.

Safety of donated blood

Almost all of the blood used for blood transfusions is donated by volunteers.

The process of blood donation and the handling of donated blood is regulated by Health Canada. It enforces several ways to protect the blood supply from disease.

Donor screening.

To donate blood, you must answer questions about your health history, any travel to countries where certain diseases are common, and any behaviour that increases your risk for certain diseases, such as drug use or unprotected sex. To be sure you are in good health to donate, your temperature, blood pressure, and the protein in your red blood cells (hemoglobin) are checked. You may not be allowed to donate blood if any of these screening steps suggests a problem.

Deferred-donor lists.

Organizations that collect blood must keep lists of people who are permanently prevented from giving blood. Potential donors must be checked against this list.

Blood testing.

After donation, every unit of blood is tested for certain diseases. These include hepatitis B and C, HIV, West Nile virus, syphilis, and HTLV-I/II viruses. If any disease is found, the blood is thrown away.

Quarantine.

Donated blood is kept isolated from other blood. It can't be used until it passes all required tests.

Quality assurance.

Blood centres must keep careful records of all donated blood. If there is a problem, the blood centre must tell Health Canada and work with them to correct the problem.

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Information about Blood Transfusion

Current as of: December 13, 2023

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Ignite Healthwise, LLC, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.

Information about Blood Transfusion

Current as of: December 13, 2023

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.