Gaining informed consent for blood transfusion.

Transfusion of blood and blood products is a common procedure that has significant benefits but is also associated with serious risks. Patients needing blood transfusion require full information on these benefits and risks in order to make informed consent. This article, the first in a five-part series, discusses the process of gaining consent and resources available to support patients and health professionals in this.

What is the maximum time that a unit of red blood cells can be safely left out of controlled temperature storage?

The objective of this systematic review was to identify and analyze the evidence base supporting the "30-minute" and "4-hour" rules in transfusion medicine. The 30-minute rule states that red blood cell (RBC) units left out of controlled temperature storage for more than 30 minutes should not be returned to storage for reissue; the 4-hour rule states that transfusion of RBC units should be completed within 4 hours of their removal from controlled temperature storage. Eligible studies were identified from searches (to October 2010) of a range of electronic databases (including The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the National Health Service Blood and Transplant's Transfusion Evidence Library) and contact with transfusion medicine and blood bank experts.