The modified blood may also reduce the transmission of certain viruses and may lessen the probability of heavily transfused patients becoming resistant to platelets. Other studies show the blood may reduce post-operative infections and reduce the length of hospital stays. But researchers say they need more studies to confirm these results. White cells help a person fight bacteria and viruses, but when they are received in donated blood, the human body does not welcome the new white cells. Vanderbilt University Medical Center and other area hospitals have already began using the newly processed blood on their patients.
Doctors say recipients respond well to blood with reduced white cells.
It seems like the South is a little more advanced. Red Cross officials hope to offer only white cell-reduced blood nationwide by next year. Associated Press content is Copyrighted by The Associated Press.