How do you treat severe anemia in individuals who cannot receive blood products?¶
Answer: It depends on the clinical presentation.
- For all: improve iron, B12, and folic acid stores; limit phlebotomies; and consider early use of an ESA.
- Acute and chronic bleeding: focus on source control.
- Operative management:
- Screen and treat anemia.
- Discuss in detail which blood products would be considered acceptable, and document this in the chart.
- Discuss strategies to lower blood loss with anesthesia and surgery (Cell Saver, etc.).
- Use pediatric tubes for phlebotomy.
- Add an EMR alert.
Source: Treatment of individuals who cannot receive blood products for religious or other reasons