What is the primary purpose of packed red cell units?

The primary purpose of packed red cell units is to be used for transfusions. Packed red blood cells are concentrated red cells obtained from whole blood after the plasma and other components have been removed. They are primarily used to treat patients who have lost a significant amount of blood due to trauma, surgery, or conditions like anemia. When a patient receives a transfusion of packed red blood cells, it helps restore the blood volume and improve oxygen-carrying capacity, thus addressing the need for increased red blood cell levels in the bloodstream. This is crucial in situations where the patient's own red blood cell production is insufficient to meet physiological demands or when there has been an acute loss of blood.