UK and international guidelines for autologous blood transfusion state that autologous blood should be clearly labelled with the patient's details to ensure the safety of the technique. Despite these guidelines, routine labelling of autologous blood from techniques such as Intra and Postoperative Cell Salvage (ICS and PCS) is not standard practice in the UK. A recent report to Serious Hazards of Transfusion (SHOT) of wrong blood, wrong patient involving unlabelled PCS blood reinforces the need for labelling of autologous blood. To address this issue, in 2008, the UK Cell Salvage Action Group (UKCSAG) piloted an autologous transfusion label with the intention that it would be rolled out throughout the UK for use with all autologous transfusion procedures. The pilot labels were available to all UK hospitals using ICS through the machine manufacturers. Towards the end of the pilot phase, the labels were also made available to a selected number of hospitals for use in PCS through the PCS equipment manufacturers.
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