BACKGROUND: Transfusion therapy has been integral to decreasing morbidity and mortality in @entity3458 ( @entity3458 ). Several studies however, have demonstrated variation in the blood bank (BB) practices for these @entity1 . The purpose of this study was to examine BB practices for @entity3458 @entity1 at NIH Comprehensive Sickle Cell Centers (CSCCs) and to determine whether consensus in BB management exists. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of BB medical directors and laboratory supervisors at CSCCs was conducted between October 2004 and March 2005. The survey assessed respondent, hospital, and BB characteristics; pretransfusion procedures; blood product selection; and agreement with statements about consensus in management. Physician respondents were also asked to select their preferred management strategy in four hypothetical transfusion-related cases. RESULTS: Responses were received from 36 of 49 (73.5%) institutions. Pretransfusion procedures and blood product selection were nearly uniform among CSCCs. Of the respondents, 69 percent disagreed with the statement that clear consensus exists on the use of phenotypically matched red blood cells for @entity3458 @entity1 ; 55 percent disagreed that clear consensus exists on the use of chronic transfusion programs for @entity3458 @entity1 . Although there was consensus on the use of transfusion therapy for life- or organ-threatening situations, optimal management of preoperative transfusion therapy and severe delayed transfusion reactions appears controversial. CONCLUSION: This study provides the first overview of BB management of @entity1 with @entity3458 at CSCCs and identifies areas where there is perceived and actual lack of consensus. These results suggest that opportunities remain to standardize transfusion practices for @entity3458 @entity1 across all hospital settings.

Blood bank management of sickle cell XXXX at comprehensive sickle cell centers.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients'] @entity3458 :: ('MESH:D000755', 'Disease') :: ['sickle cell disease', 'SCD']
@entity1 :: (9606,Species) :: ['patients']
