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How do I allocate blood products at the end of life? An ethical analysis with suggested guidelines
Author(s) -
Smith Lauren B.,
Cooling Laura,
Davenport Robertson
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
transfusion
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.045
H-Index - 132
eISSN - 1537-2995
pISSN - 0041-1132
DOI - 10.1111/j.1537-2995.2012.03658.x
Subject(s) - blood product , intensive care medicine , medicine , product (mathematics) , terminally ill , business , surgery , palliative care , nursing , geometry , mathematics
Blood products are scarce resources requiring prudent and reasoned allocation. The utilization of red blood cells and platelets in terminally ill patients can be complicated and requires guidelines tempered by individualized considerations. Representative cases are discussed in which blood products are requested or utilized by patients at the end of life. Relevant literature is reviewed and ethical issues pertaining to each case are discussed. A practical approach to blood product utilization at the end of life is suggested.