Withdrawing less blood for ICU lab tests reduces patient strain: Study

ICUs can collect less blood for lab tests and thereby reduce transfusions for critically ill patients who may have blood drawn multiple times a day, suggests a study that says switching to lower-volume tubes can preserve the blood supply and reduce strain on already fragile patients. The study found using a tube that collects about half the amount provides enough blood for a typical lab test. The switch also saved one blood transfusion for every 10 patients in ICUs. About 40% of the sickest patients have repeated lab tests, resulting in significant blood loss that contributes to anemia.