Blood Transfusion Services

Blood transfusion services are an important part of the health-care system since blood transfusion is required in a number of frequently occurring clinical situations: Major surgical procedures, including treatment of trauma patients; obstetric care with major bleeding during child birth; and treatment of several medical diseases, especially hematological diseases. This article outlines the essential safety aspects of blood transfusion from the proper selection of the unpaid blood donor to processing and appropriate testing of the blood unit to safety aspects of transfusion, which include the appropriate clinical use of blood and blood components. The importance of accurate reporting of any adverse reactions to blood transfusion, which form the basis for a hemovigilance system, is reviewed.