Biomaterial Database

How can autologous blood transfusions help our patients? 2000

J Seal

Horder Centre for Arthritis, Crowborough, East Sussex.

In modern day clinical nursing practice, respecting and encouraging patient autonomy, together with acting as advocate for the patient, is an integral part of holistic patient care. We have a 'duty of care' to our patients. So why, in the early days of the 21st century, are we still transfusing our patients with homologous blood products when there is a safer alternative which has been recognised for almost 200 years?

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009871	Operating Room Nursing	The functions of the professional nurse in the operating room.	Nursing, Operating Room
D010344	Patient Advocacy	Promotion and protection of the rights of patients, frequently through a legal process.	Patient Ombudsmen,Patient Representatives,Clinical Ombudsman,Patient Ombudsman,Advocacy, Patient,Ombudsman, Clinical,Ombudsman, Patient,Ombudsmen, Patient,Patient Representative,Representative, Patient,Representatives, Patient
D001804	Blood Transfusion, Autologous	Reinfusion of blood or blood products derived from the patient's own circulation. (Dorland, 27th ed)	Autotransfusion,Autologous Blood Transfusion,Autologous Blood Transfusions,Blood Transfusions, Autologous,Transfusion, Autologous Blood,Transfusions, Autologous Blood,Autotransfusions
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D018570	Risk Assessment	The qualitative or quantitative estimation of the likelihood of adverse effects that may result from exposure to specified health hazards or from the absence of beneficial influences. (Last, Dictionary of Epidemiology, 1988)	Assessment, Risk,Benefit-Risk Assessment,Risk Analysis,Risk-Benefit Assessment,Health Risk Assessment,Risks and Benefits,Analysis, Risk,Assessment, Benefit-Risk,Assessment, Health Risk,Assessment, Risk-Benefit,Benefit Risk Assessment,Benefit-Risk Assessments,Benefits and Risks,Health Risk Assessments,Risk Analyses,Risk Assessment, Health,Risk Assessments,Risk Benefit Assessment,Risk-Benefit Assessments
D018939	Holistic Nursing	A philosophy of nursing practice that takes into account total patient care, considering the physical, emotional, social, economic, and spiritual needs of patients, their response to their illnesses, and the effect of illness on patients' abilities to meet self-care needs. (From Mosby's Medical, Nursing, & Allied Health Dictionary, 4th ed, p745)	Nursing, Holistic