Background: In hospitalized patients with anemia, the AABB recommends that transfusion of red blood cells occur when a patient’s hemoglobin (Hb) drops below a restrictive transfusion threshold, either at 7 or 8g/dL1. These transfusion guidelines are the result of a growing body of clinical trial evidence showing that transfusion at lower or restrictive Hb thresholds [...]

Background: The 2016 and 2023 AABB international red blood cell (RBC) transfusion guidelines recommend, in addition to restrictive transfusion practices, that clinicians also consider the patient’s overall clinical context when making transfusion decisions (1). However, there is little empiric data on which specific clinical factors, other than Hb, should inform transfusion decisions in hospitalized patients [...]

Background: Anemia is a risk factor for cognitive impairment as a result of reduced delivery of oxygen to the brain from low hemoglobin (Hb) levels. In ambulatory patients, mild anemia (Hb 10-12g/dL) has been associated with reductions in patients’ cognitive function [1–3]. In hospitalized patients it is standard of care to maintain Hb levels far [...]