We have made every effort to include information in this book that we believe reflects best practice at the time of going to press. However, neither the authors, the editors nor the publisher can accept any legal responsibility for any errors or omissions.
More information on many of the topics covered in the book and links to relevant sources are available on this website
We are working with the United Kingdom Blood Transfusion Services' (UKBTS) systematic reviews group to link statements in this handbook to the available evidence. This is an ongoing project and will not alter the fact that there are many areas of practice for which the best evidence is drawn from consensus statements or professional opinions.
This book refers to practices (for example, for blood administration) that, although not supported by reliable evidence from any formal studies, are contained in current manuals and guidelines, presumably because experience over many years justifies the belief that the practice is safe and effective.
Where possible, information about treatment is based on the relevant BCSH guidelines, but in some cases where there is no evidence-based consensus about best practice, the text is based on the practice in a particular hospital and is provided as an example. Where an approved local treatment guideline is available, this should be used. The editors would welcome information from practitioners who have identified and prefer to use alternative practices that have been shown to be safer or more effective.
The manuscript has been widely reviewed by clinical practitioners (see Authors and reviewers) and reflects their comments as far as possible.
New information and correction or amendments to this text will be published on this website. Please contact us at this address.
E-Learning resources relating to the content can be found at www.learnbloodtransfusion.org.uk
References
For reasons of space, the book does not cite references, but the full text with references, which will be updated periodically, appears on this website. See References