How much does blood for tranfusion cost,(NE Thailand)

[Richie1971]

Hi,

I have a relative who is suffering from a bad case of dengue and has been advised that blood transfusions will aid recovery.

Of course you cannot put a price on good health but would like to know how much the blood costs per unit from a public hospital. I understand that the donors will need to be paid plus screening costs etc

Thanks

[AyG]

Sorry, I can't comment on the cost of the transfusions. However, I understand that it's only platelets that need to be transfused - not whole blood. (Platelets are involved with blood clotting and dengue interferes with this.)

You may also want to read http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3168133/ just to make sure that the transfusion is really necessary; all transfusions have a risk of transferring a disease - not only a known one, but also one as yet unknown.

[Sheryl]

If this person is Thai it should be free and covered under the universal health scheme or Soc Sec as applicable.

For a farang -- I am not certain of the policy in Thailand but in most countries the policy is that there is no charge for blood provided the patient is able to provide a replacement donation, which can come from any friend or relative and need not be the same blood type. Only if unable to provide a replacement unit is there a charge.

There will be charges related to the administration of it though (peripheral equipment, lab tests to type and crossmatch the blood, the nursing care) -- it is only the blood itself that is free if replaced.

I would surprised if this is not also the policy in Thailand.

As to platlets vs blood it depends on the patient's condition. Platlets only if the platlet count is below a critical level but the patient has not yet suffered any significant blood loss. If significant blood loss has occurred then either whole blood or separate administration of platlets and packed red blood cells may be given.

[Richie1971]

Thanks Sheryl, the patient is a 16 yr old Thai girl

[Richie1971]

She has been on kidney dialysis if this makes any difference to the amount, type of transfusion etc

[jrtmedic]

So sorry to hear of the young ladies problem.

As she is Thai most , if not all her care, will be provided "free"

As to what she requires in terms of transfusion is not possible to determine in the absence of detail relating to her full blood count, clotting profile etc

Please trust the Doctors and follow their advise. Most have great experience in treating Dengue.

Best wishes

Jrt

[Richie1971]

Thanks for the feedback

Cheers