Patients

Have a septic, hemolytic anemia patient at the ICU. No more fever for the past 24 hours, antibiotics given for the past 8 days, still needs more blood for transfusion. Blood bank would not give any more blood since they already pulled so much and still have to replace about 12 bags. Said they need to leave some blood for emergency cases. What they don't seem to realize is that this is an emergency too. Sure, the family could have procured more blood for the patient, should have brought in more donors but I have to exhaust all means to give blood for my patient short of giving my own incompatible blood. I only wanted the blood to tide her over for the next days until more donors can be found. Finally wrangled 1 bag for this morning. Dragged my boss over to the ICU to see the patient. I know she couldn't qoute policy to me while seeing my poor patient struggle. I think it helps to put a human face on suffering so all those who dictate policy would think twice before voting something that may not be beneficial for the patients.