Introduction / Foreword
SANBS Clinical Guideline, 6th Edition, 2023
| This edition of the Clinical Guidelines for the Use of Blood and Blood Products in South Africa has been updated to reflect the evolution of blood transfusion medicine, which continues to develop based on numerous scientific research advances and widely agreed principles. |
With Patient Blood Management (PBM) gaining traction worldwide, including in South Africa, these Guidelines now include a chapter devoted to PBM and an increasing number of surgical specialties are also publishing discipline-specific PBM guidelines. All clinicians are encouraged to consider PBM principles in their management of patients, as these are associated with improved clinical outcomes.
Clinicians are also urged to take note of Legal Aspects of Blood Transfusion, particularly with reference to informed consent. The blood supply in South Africa is safe, but blood transfusion is not without risks. Legal aspects to be considered include adverse transfusion reactions and transfusion transmissible infections. Medico-legal issues may be avoided by ensuring patients are made fully aware of the risks and benefits of transfusion therapies, as well as the risks and benefits of alternatives to blood transfusion.
Clinicians are also advised to stay up to date with developments in transfusion medicine, such as the indications for specific products, PBM and haemovigilance.
The 6th Edition is once again the collaborative effort of the South African National Blood Service and the Western Cape Blood Service and the National Bioproducts Institute contributed to Plasma Components and Derivatives.
The content of these Guidelines has been updated in line with recent peer-reviewed and authoritative publications. While every effort has been made to ensure they are accurate, the blood services, contributors and publishers cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions contained within this publication.
The Guidelines are also available on the South African National Blood Service and Western Cape Blood Service websites: www.sanbs.org.za and www.wcbs.org.za.
Finally, we wish to thank Adcock Ingram Critical Care for sponsoring the publication and distribution of these Guidelines.
Contributors:
- Dr Greg Bellairs
- Dr Ute Jentsch
- Dr Thabiso Rapodile
- Dr Solomuzi Ngcobo
- Dr Caroline Hilton
- Dr Jeh-Han Omarjee
- Dr Karin van den
- Berg Mr Leith Kwaan
- Dr Petro-Lize Wessels
- Dr Colwyn Poole
- Dr Tanya Glatt
Clinical Guidelines for the Use of Blood and Blood Products in South Africa, 6th Edition, 2023