How is blood loss measured during surgery?

Question

As in, how do they know how much blood is lost during surgery?

In: 4

Answer 1

We guess based on the number of sponges used plus what is suctioned. We can also weigh the sponges but very few places use that system. It’s an estimate and accuracy can vary quite a bit. Usually it doesn’t matter because we don’t give blood based on the estimated loss. We decide to give blood based on how the patient is doing.