In the midst of a federal investigation of six potential cases of West Nile virus (WNV) transmission through blood transfusion, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a "fact sheet" with deferral listed as one option for elective procedures.
The fact sheet says, "In elective situations, medical decisions about transfusion should take into account the personal preferences and concerns of individual patients and their health care providers. Options may include deferral of elective procedure or, in some instances, use of autologous [self] blood transfusions." To access the fact sheet, go to www.cdc.gov. Click on "In the News" and then "West Nile Virus."
According to Jesse Goodman, MD, MPH, deputy director of the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, it is believed that the WNV can be transmitted through blood transfusions, but the level of risk isn’t certain.
Goodman said patients might want to look at alternatives to receiving blood if they are worried. A story published Sept. 20, 2002, in the Miami Herald quoted Goodman as saying options for surgery patients include donating blood for their own surgery in advance, using blood-recovery techniques during surgery, and perhaps delaying elective surgery. (For more information on blood-recovery techniques, see Same-Day Surgery, May 2002, p. 62.)
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