← Blood Choices Primary Component
Whole Blood
What it is
Complete donated blood containing all components — red cells, white cells, platelets, and plasma.
Derived from: Packed Red Blood Cells, Plasma, Platelets
If you accept vs. refuse
Accept Why some people accept
- Preserves all blood components in their natural ratio
- May be the only option in massive hemorrhage when component therapy is unavailable
- Used in some military and remote settings where component separation isn't feasible
Refuse Why some people refuse
- Contains all components including white cells, increasing risk of transfusion reactions
- Higher risk of TRALI (transfusion-related acute lung injury) compared to components
- Some faith traditions consider whole blood to be equivalent to the blood referenced in religious texts
Alternatives
Pharmaceutical Volume Expanders Non-blood IV fluids (saline, Ringer's lactate, dextran, hetastarch) used to maintain blood volume without transfusion.
Related concepts
Topic Transfusion Risks Adverse effects of blood transfusion including infections, immune reactions, transfusion-related lung injury (TRALI), and iron overload.
Topic Faith & Conscience Religious and conscientious considerations in blood-related medical decisions. Some faiths distinguish between primary components and fractions.
Glossary Allogeneic From a donor — another person. Allogeneic blood transfusion uses donated blood from someone else.
Medical references
Hofmann et al. (2013) Patient Blood Management: A Systematic Review. Transfusion Medicine Reviews. Meta-analysis showing 11% lower mortality with PBM. →WHO PBM Guidelines (2021) World Health Organization guidelines on Patient Blood Management. Endorses bloodless care strategies as standard of care. →
In your Directive
Your directive will instruct providers that you do not consent to receiving whole donated blood from another person.
Make this choice in your Directive
Your blood product decisions are recorded clearly and shared with your Care Team.
Create your Directive