Incorporating the concept of overtransfusion into hemovigilance monitoring: An expert-based definition and criteria from the International HIT-OVER Forum.

Background: Liberal or overtransfusion (OT) may be regarded as "inappropriate," but it is not reported as a transfusion-related adverse event. A definition of OT is lacking. OT may include overdosing of components, giving the incorrect component, or unnecessary administration without evidence of need for transfusion.

Implementation of a "Patient Blood Management" program in medium sized hospitals: Results of a survey among German hemotherapists.

Background And Aims: Germany uses more blood transfusions than the majority of other countries. The objective of this study was to detect the degree of Patient Blood Management (PBM) implementation within Germany and to identify obstacles to establishing PBM programs.

Methods: An electronical questionnaire containing 21 questions and 4 topics was sent in 2018 to the members of the German interdisciplinary hemotherapy (IAKH) society in Germany.

Safety of Intraoperative Cell Salvage in Cancer Surgery: An Updated Meta-Analysis of the Current Literature.

Background: Allogeneic blood transfusions in oncologic surgery are associated with increased recurrence and mortality. Adverse effects on outcome could be reduced or avoided by using intraoperative autologous blood cell salvage (IOCS). However, there are concerns regarding the safety of the autologous IOCS blood.