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solution used to administer an IV costs about $1. The patient
charge for the administration of an IV solution is typically
about $20.
Blood Transfusions
Patients undergoing surgery or other health care treatments
may receive transfusions of blood and blood derivatives.
Petitioners' hospitals acquire most of their blood and blood
components from the American Red Cross under agreements providing
that all blood remains under the jurisdiction of the Red Cross
until transfused to the patient. These agreements prohibit the
sale of blood by the hospital. They also prohibit the hospital
from making any charge to the patient other than the processing
fee that the hospital pays to the Red Cross plus any charge for
the services the hospital renders in administering the blood.
Blood transfusions require typing of the patient's blood,
procuring a supply of blood of the proper type, delivering it for
administration to the patient, assembling the transfusion
apparatus and injecting it into the patient, monitoring the
transfusion carefully, detaching the apparatus when the
transfusion is completed, and disposing of the apparatus and any
remaining blood in accordance with appropriate hospital
procedures.
Other Medical Supplies
Many ancillary hospital departments utilize supplies in
performing their particular specialties. For example, x-ray
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