Blacks in U.S. more likely to receive unnecessary and dangerous surgical blood transfusions, UAlbany study finds

Overuse of blood transfusions, a study concluded, may pose serious health risks, specifically in black patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery and total hip replacement surgical procedures. photo: abhi ahmadadeen/BMLTV©

(PRN/USN) ALBANY, N.Y., May 9, 2014 - Black patients in the United States are more likely to receive perioperative red blood cell (RBC) transfusions for two of three frequently performed surgical procedures, posing a risk for favorable outcomes, a study by University at Albany School of Public Health researcher Feng Qian finds.