Sphere Medical releases a white paper exploring the issues of anemia, transfusions and blood conservation in critical care

Since up to 90% of patients develop hospital- acquired anemia by their third day in the ICU (Intensive Care Unit) with many requiring subsequent transfusions, blood conservation strategies can be of significant benefit to patients and will help reduce costs of care. The new paper observes that within the ICU setting, the total amount of diagnostic (iatrogenic) blood loss is a significant predicator of anemia and subsequent allogeneic transfusion. Notably, iatrogenic blood loss is the factor most easily controlled by the intensivist – the paper discusses the main methods of reducing the contribution of blood tests to the incidence of iatrogenic anemia. Entitled