open access
Bleeding management in remote environment: the use of fresh whole blood transfusion and lyophilised plasma
open access
Abstract
To mitigate medical risks in remote environments, the authors have implemented an innovative integrated medical support solution for bleeding management on board ships since 2013. Fresh whole blood transfusion (FWBT) and lyophilised plasma were put in place to address life threatening haemorrhages in maritime operations in the Arctic and Antarctica. The authors are illustrating the bleeding risks with an actual case occurring in Antarctica prior to the implementation of these procedures. They are presenting the different steps involved in the complex process of FWBT, from blood donors’ qualifications to actual transfusions. The pros and cons of blood transfusion in extreme remote environment are discussed, including the training of health care professionals, equipment requirements, legal and ethical issues, decision making in complex blood group matching, medical benefits and risks.
Abstract
To mitigate medical risks in remote environments, the authors have implemented an innovative integrated medical support solution for bleeding management on board ships since 2013. Fresh whole blood transfusion (FWBT) and lyophilised plasma were put in place to address life threatening haemorrhages in maritime operations in the Arctic and Antarctica. The authors are illustrating the bleeding risks with an actual case occurring in Antarctica prior to the implementation of these procedures. They are presenting the different steps involved in the complex process of FWBT, from blood donors’ qualifications to actual transfusions. The pros and cons of blood transfusion in extreme remote environment are discussed, including the training of health care professionals, equipment requirements, legal and ethical issues, decision making in complex blood group matching, medical benefits and risks.
Keywords
remote medicine, bleeding management, transfusion, plasma
About this articleTitle
Bleeding management in remote environment: the use of fresh whole blood transfusion and lyophilised plasma
Journal
Issue
Pages
79-82
Published online
2016-06-28
Page views
1722
Article views/downloads
1704
DOI
Pubmed
Bibliographic record
IMH 2016;67(2):79-82.
Keywords
remote medicine
bleeding management
transfusion
plasma
Authors
Bruno Sicard
Frédéric Marouzé
Céline Roche
Mathieu Carron
Sylvain Ausset
Anne Sailliol
