THE ORGANIZATION OF A RED BLOOD CELL TRANSFUSION SERVICE

Attention has recently been focused on the use of red cell residues that are by-products of plasma production as a substitute for whole blood transfusions in the treatment of anemia. The first work in the preservation of red blood cells suspended in isotonic solution of sodium chloride was reported by Rous and Turner1in 1916. Their experiments, however, were limited to animal transfusions. In 1918 Robertson,2in reporting the first blood bank transfusions in World War I, actually gave red cell suspensions rather than whole blood. Concentrated red cell transfusions were reported by Castellanos3in 1937 and by Castellanos and Riera.4Since 1940 there have been a number of reports by British workers on the practicality of giving multiple red cell transfusions both in the concentrated form and resuspended in isotonic solutions.5The more recent articles6in this country confirm on the whole the