Improving blood transfusion services

Tara Tancred; Imelda Bates

doi:10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2019.05.007

Improving blood transfusion services

Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol. 2019 Nov:61:130-142. doi: 10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2019.05.007. Epub 2019 May 23.

Authors

Tara Tancred¹, Imelda Bates²

Affiliations

¹ International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, UK. Electronic address: tara.tancred@lstmed.ac.uk.
² International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, UK.

PMID: 31285175
DOI: 10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2019.05.007

Abstract

Postpartum haemorrhage contributes to 25% of maternal deaths worldwide, rising to 40% in sub-Saharan Africa. Treatment of postpartum haemorrhage-particularly for women with anaemia -requires timely, quality blood transfusions. There are a number of barriers to the provision of transfusion services, especially in low- and middle-income settings where the need is the greatest. These include unavailability of blood, unsafe blood, poor uptake of labour and delivery care, difficulties getting blood to transfusing facilities and poor documentation of patient information. Examples of innovative and practical solutions to overcome these barriers are highlighted.

Keywords: Anaemia; Blood transfusion; Innovation; LMICs; Postpartum haemorrhage.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Africa South of the Sahara
Anemia* / etiology
Blood Transfusion*
Female
Humans
Postpartum Hemorrhage* / therapy
Pregnancy