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Clinical practice

For safe, appropriate and effective clinical transfusion practice, following an evidence-based, multidisciplinary approach utilising the principles of patient blood management (PBM) is essential.

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Use of blood components

Blood components are cellular (red cells and platelets) and plasma constituents separated from blood donations. Each blood component has specific clinical indications, benefits and potential risks.

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Clinical indications

Some types of anaemia, thrombocytopenia and platelet function disorders, bleeding disorders and critical bleeding are common clinical indications for transfusion of blood components.

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Patient blood management (PBM)

PBM is a patient-centred, systematic, evidence-based approach to improve patient outcomes by managing and preserving the patient's own blood, while promoting patient safety and empowerment.

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Transfusion process

Transfusion is a multi-step process from the decision to transfuse and informed consent through to documentation and traceability. For the the safe administration of blood products, it is important that all steps are followed in accordance with organisational policies and procedures and national guidelines.

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Adverse events

Adverse transfusion reactions are where patients experience an undesirable response associated with the transfusion of blood or blood products and can be the result of patient, product or procedural factors.

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