When You Need a Transfusion

What is the Procedure
Receiving a blood transfusion is a relatively simple procedure. When a physician determines that you might need a transfusion, a sample of your blood is first collected in order to determine your blood type.

If you are receiving care at a hospital in King County, your blood sample is sent to the Puget Sound Blood Center laboratory where tests are performed to ensure selection of compatible blood components. After the tests, compatible blood is delivered to the location where you will receive your transfusion.

In hospitals outside King County, compatibility testing is performed in the hospital’s lab. Before transfusing the blood component, the transfusionist/phlebotomist will check your identification and that of the component to ensure that you are receiving the component issued specifically for you.

The transfusion of a blood component generally takes one to three hours. Most commonly, the blood component is transfused (given) through a needle placed in a vein in your arm. The procedure usually requires only restricted arm movement to avoid dislodging the needle.