Manual of optimal blood use : support for safe, clinically effective and efficient use of blood in Europe

Abstract

What is this manual for? It is a resource for anyone who is working to improve the quality of the Clinical Transfusion Process (CTP).

The Clinical Transfusion Process is: Transfusion of the right unit of blood to the right patient at the right time, and in the right condition and according to appropriate guidelines A chain of integrated events that begins with a correct decision that the patient needs blood and ends with an assessment of the clinical outcome of the transfusion. Its goal is to achieve optimal use of blood

Optimal use of blood is: The safe, clinically effective and efficient use of donated human blood Safe: No adverse reactions or infections Clinically effective: Benefits the patient Efficient: No unnecessary transfusions Transfusion at the time the patient needs it.

The manual contains information and practical materials to: • Deliver quality assurance of the clinical transfusion process • Promote best practice in blood transfusion • Comply with relevant EU directives

The manual is intended for: Members of Hospital Transfusion Committees Clinical staff: doctors, nurses and other personnel who have responsibility for quality of care in transfusion therapy Managers who have responsibility for the quality of the care of patients in their hospitals