This research study is enrolling subjects who are receiving RBC (red blood cell) blood transfusions as part of their treatment. In this study, we are testing a new way of preparing RBC units (pooled RBC units) for transfusion compared to the standard RBC units. We are testing this because blood transfusions may be associated with side effects that may be harmful. We have developed a new way to process RBC for transfusion to try and reduce some of those side effects.
The pooled RBC units will be made by sterilely pooling five (5) single RBC units into one container where the blood will be mixed together, and then separated into five individual RBC units, ready to be used for transfusion. The purpose of the study is to determine the safety of the blood prepared in this new way compared to standard RBC products.
The primary objective is to determine if there is no significant difference in transfusion associated adverse events in POOLED-RBCs compared to standard RBC product groups. Secondarily to determine if there are no significant differences in new antibody and new positive direct antiglobulin test (DAT) formation in the POOLED-RBCs compared to standard RBC product groups.
