Are blood transfusions necessary after surgery for a broken hip?

2 answers | Last updated: Jul 19, 2012
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An anonymous caregiver asked...
Are blood transfusions necessary after surgery for a broken hip on an eighty-five year old female?
 

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Caring.com User - Jennifer Serafin, N.P.
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Jennifer Serafin, N.P. is a registered nurse and geriatric nurse practitioner at the Jewish Homes for the Aged in San Francisco.
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Blood transfusions may be necessary after any surgery, as many times people become anemic from the blood lost during the surgical procedure. Furthermore, since the surgery itself is such a stress to the person's system, it may take awhile for someone to recover from a post- operative anemia. Iron pills are given to help build up the blood levels, but if the anemia is severe enough, a transfusion will be given as well.

 

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lisa14973 answered...

my father was on plavix previous to broken his hip, so he has more internal bleeding than its the norm. He was transfused due to low counts. and he is doing well now (regarding blood) and taking iron.

 

 
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