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Paul C. Hébert, MD, MHSc; Dean A. Fergusson, MHA

JAMA. 2002;288:1525-1526.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

Transfusions of packed red blood cells (RBCs), a complex biological product prepared from donated blood, are unique in many respects when compared with other health interventions. Despite one of the worst epidemics in recent times being caused, in part, by transfusion of blood products in the 1980s, RBC transfusion remains an essential and frequently performed medical intervention. In the United States, 11.5 million units of blood were donated in 1997.¹ Of all units donated yearly, it is estimated that 50% to 70% are transfused in the surgical setting.^2-6

In this issue of THE JOURNAL, the international epidemiologic study by Vincent and colleagues⁷ highlights the frequent use of RBC transfusions in the intensive care unit (ICU). The Anemia and Blood Transfusion in Critical Care (ABC) investigators conducted a cross-sectional study during a 2-week period in November 1999 to evaluate transfusion practices involving . . . [Full Text of this Article]

Author Affiliations: University of Ottawa Centre for Transfusion Research, Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Health Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario.

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