Every donor is screened before donating blood and then all donated blood is run through an exhaustive series of tests to determine purity. The chance of illness being passed through a blood transfusion is extremely uncommon. Before your transfusion, the nurse will compare your armband with the label on the unit of blood to make certain you are receiving the correct blood product. A nurse will check your temperature, blood pressure and pulse before and several times during the transfusion. You are not necessarily confined to a bed or chair during a transfusion.
Many people eat or move about during the transfusion.
This is fine provided you remain on the patient-care unit. You may resume your previous level of activity after the transfusion. A reaction to a blood transfusion is uncommon. If you have any questions about your transfusion ask your physician or nurse. The material in this booklet does not provide all available information about Blood Transfusion and is not intended as a substitute for seeking professional medical care and advice.