This is a process of collecting a patient's own blood prior to an elective procedure, where it is anticipated that there will be a likelihood for the patient would require a blood transfusion.
This may be indicated in other circumstances; for example, for patients with a known rare blood group.
Autologous blood collection is aimed at minimising the potential use of homologous blood (blood from a voluntary donor).
While it is commonly perceived that autologous transfusion removes the risk of transfusion-transmissible infection, the overall safety of autologous blood transfusion is not significantly different from homologous transfusion in Australia.
Risks still exist with autologous blood, including bacterial contamination, clerical error, degradation effects of blood storage, and increased chance of receiving a blood transfusion.
The process of autologous blood collection is similar as homologous blood donation, with the same small risks normally associated with giving blood.
Surgery, healing and blood collection deplete iron body stores. Therefore, iron supplementation is recommended as part of the autologous program.
Where deemed appropriate, start iron supplementation well in advance of the first collection because of the occurrence of diarrhoea. While diarrhoea is a less common side effect of oral iron than constipation, it is an important contraindication to autologous collections in some areas.
The treating doctor is responsible for referring and counselling a patient for autologous blood collection.
Read the Blood Service requirements for autologous collection or follow the ANZSBT Guidelines for Autologous Blood Collection for autologous collections outside the Blood Service.
