Current transfusion practices of members of the american society of anesthesiologists: a survey.

Background: The last published survey of transfusion practices among members of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) was conducted in 1981. The ASA Committee on Transfusion Medicine conducted a new transfusion survey in 2002.

Methods: The survey was mailed to 2,500 randomly selected active ASA members.

Practice parameter for the use of red blood cell transfusions: developed by the Red Blood Cell Administration Practice Guideline Development Task Force of the College of American Pathologists.

A practice parameter has been developed to assist physicians in the therapeutic use of red blood cell transfusions. The developers of this parameter used the best available information from the medical literature, as well as clinical experience and the extensive reality testing required by the College of American Pathologists for approval. In acute anemia, a fall in hemoglobin values below 6 g/dL or a rapid blood volume loss of more than 30% to 40% requires red blood cell transfusions in most patients.