Blood transfusion: A security-based approach

Blood transfusion is a unique medical activity which creates a strong, direct link between health and pathology. This distinctive feature, which it shares with organ transplants, requires a security-based approach focusing on the various practical issues described in this book:
- the organisation of structures, establishments and interfaces, under the aegis of the French Blood Authority and the relevant legal bodies;
- vigilance, through a system of collecting data to ensure safe transfusions;
- sound transfusion practices;
- training for personnel involved in transfusions;
- expansion of reference and research activities.
The book offers a complete overview of the information available about the new system of organising blood transfusions in France. It looks in turn at the biological, medical and legal aspects of transfusion in terms of preventing infectious diseases, immunological accidents, accidents due to work overload, and vigilance regarding quality. The legal and quality assurance aspects are the subject of extensive comment.
Blood transfusion is based on the concept of the chain of transfusion. That means that all the activities related to transfusional medicine must be taken into account, from encouraging donors to give blood to monitoring patients who have had transfusions. Blood transfusion: A security-based approach, is the reflection of this concept, which makes the patient the centre of medical concern.
The book is divided into four main parts:
- Prevention of infectious diseases
- Prevention of immunological accidents
- Prevention of accidents due to work overload
- Vigilance, legal aspects and quality assurance