I am interested to find out whether any units collect data regarding the number of patients who receive a blood transfusion whilst on dialysis in order to correct or maintain haemoglobin targets as we know that transfusions themselves have a measurable carbon footprint.
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I really never thought about Transfusions and carbon printing. I am happy to receive some directions and information on the issue. Kindly guide me or share some links, please.
Hi Charles . Thanks for your comment. There is data out there looking at the carbon foot printing - link here-
https://healthcarelca.com/alerts/what-is-the-environmental-impact-of-a-…
But not specifically to renal units - data suggests every unit of red blood cells transfused carries an environmental cost of approximately 7.5 kg CO₂e, in addition to the clinical risks and resource demands of transfusion.
My conversations with HCPs are about correcting and maintaining haemoglobin targets as the Renal Registry data reports that over 40% of patients are not in target - we know those with low haemoglobins often receive blood transfusions to maintain target. In terms of numbers more than 6,400 UK dialysis patients had Hb levels below 100 g/L in the latest UK Renal Registry data. While national transfusion figures are not routinely reported, transfusions remain an important component of anaemia management for some patients, and UKKA/KDIGO guidance recommends avoiding transfusions where possible in transplant-eligible patients because of the risk of HLA sensitisation. Therefore optimising iron status and maintaining haemoglobin within target ranges may help reduce avoidable transfusions, benefiting patients, healthcare resources and sustainability goals. It would be very interesting to try to uncover just how many transfusions are given to renal patients - and could some be avoided - not only for clinical reasons , but also from a sustainability point of view too.
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