Consent for blood transfusion: summary of recommendations from the Advisory Committee for the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs (SaBTO).

The Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs (SaBTO) decided that its 2011 recommendations on consent for blood transfusion needed to be reviewed and revised due to evidence of poor compliance and recent legal guidance on consent. The recommendations are to ensure that patients are informed about and understand the purpose, benefits and potential risks of transfusion, and have an opportunity to discuss their treatment options. They should be incorporated into local practices for all patients.