Blood transfusion

The term ‘blood transfusion’ generally refers to the therapeutic use of whole blood or its components (red cells, platelets, fresh frozen plasma and cryoprecipitate). Careful donor selection and stringent testing by the blood service is required to ensure a safe blood supply. Blood transfusion may be essential for many clinical treatments where it can be life saving. However, donated blood is a limited resource and hospital blood transfusion practice must focus on ensuring safe and appropriate use. Clinical guidelines are essential in all specialities using blood and components, supported by education and training with regular audit of practice. Particular emphasis must be placed on accurate patient identification through the whole transfusion process from taking the initial blood sample, through laboratory testing and the transfer of blood to clinical areas to the final bedside check before transfusion to minimize errors. The reporting and monitoring of all adverse events in relation to blood transfusion via national haemovigilance schemes has highlighted key areas for action resulting in improved transfusion safety. Transfusion medicine must be practised within a strict regulatory framework; the European Union (EU) blood directives, in particular, have had far-reaching implications for the UK blood services and for hospital transfusion laboratories.