EXPERIENCES ASSOCIATED WITH A TRANSFUSION UNIT IN A 700 BED HOSPITAL: AN ANNUAL SURVEY OF OVER 3,500 ADMINISTRATIONS OF BLOOD AND PLASMA (DRIED)

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Abstract
During the year ending July 1, 1942, the Blood Transfusion[long dash]Plasma Unit of Jefferson Hospital, collected approx. 3853 "pints" of blood from 3906 donors, 1.8% of whom had blood that gave "positive" Wassermann reactions; issued 2869 blood transfusions, 3.2% of which were followed by reactions (2.3% pyrogenic reactions); dried by the Adtevac process 1171 units of plasma (14-16 gs. of dried plasma can be obtained from one "pint" of blood); and issued 695 units of plasma, the majority of which was administered as concentrated (dried plasma restored with water to 1/4 or 1/5 of its original volume) plasma infusions, 0.14% of which were followed by reactions. Blood, plasma (diluted, isotonic and concentrated[long dash]4 or 5 fold) serum and other fluids were administered intravenously and by other intraendothelial routes (intrasternally, intratibially, etc.) It is inferred that the pyrogenic reactions, following transfusions, occurred because of foreign proteins (bacterial, fetal, nutrient, cellular, etc. in recipient and bacterial, fungal, etc. in equipment) and transfused red cells since pyrogenic reactions following plasma infusions in the same patients were almost non-existant. Since dried plasma is the most practical and convenient of all forms, it will ultimately be the agent universally used. Concentrated plasma is indicated in shock, cases of hypoproteinemia (ascites of nephritis and cirrhosis of liver is often due to hypoalbuminemia), etc., and is not contraindicated in cases in which dehydration is a factor. Vials (120 ml. and 60 ml. capacity respectively) of plasma, and distilled water, a 50 ml. syringe and needles, weigh one pound and can easily be carried in a coat pocket of a physician. Cadaver blood available in the- nations'' undertaking establishments could be processed into dried plasma or albumin.