Clinical Context
Worldwide, approximately 85 million units of red blood cells (RBCs) are transfused each year. However, there is great variation in transfusion practices.
The purpose of this guideline from the AABB (formerly, the American Association of Blood Banks) was to offer clinical recommendations regarding criteria for RBC transfusions in hemodynamically stable adults and children. These criteria include hemoglobin concentration thresholds and other clinical variables.