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DBL Patroit's avatar

I'm a nurse anesthesiologist and I've lectured in the past on blood transfusions, trauma, and patient blood management. I've never heard of mixing blood except for platelets (which isn't usually done now, they're aphresis and from a single donor). The best bet to avoid blood transfusions is a great surgeon and having a higher starting hemoglobin BEFORE surgery. So iron and even iron transfusions can get your red cells up. Iron transfusions can do the job in weeks if you have time. And if you lose a lot of blood unexpectedly during surgery, then they can give you iron transfusions. I'd avoid blood in any case if at all possible. Google Patient Blood Management.

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Paving the Way's avatar

What do you recommend for hemochromotosis

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Just a Clinician's avatar

I've never heard of pooled whole blood, either.

And type and cross has become much more complex than just A/B/O and +/-. Mixing it would be a nightmare.

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