Bacterial infections associated with blood transfusion: experience and perspective of infectious diseases consultants.

Background: On March 1, 2004, the AABB adopted a new standard that requires member blood banks and transfusion services to implement measures to limit and detect bacterial contamination in all platelet (PLT) components. The AABB has since developed several guidelines to assist blood transfusion services and blood banks in this area, some of which are relevant to clinical practice. Knowledge and experience among clinicians (including infectious disease consultants, who can play an important role in managing patients with sepsis) concerning risk of bacterial infections associated with transfusion, however, are unknown.