Serious hazards of transfusion (SHOT) initiative

doi:10.1136/bmj.320.7241.1075

BMJ 2000;320:1075 ( 15 April )

Letters

Serious hazards of transfusion (SHOT) initiative

Conclusion was not supported by data presented

Autologous transfusion would avoid many of the problems of blood transfusion

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Conclusion was not supported by data presented

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

EDITOR $---$ Williamson et al report on the safety of transfusions in the first two annual reports of the serious hazards of transfusion(SHOT) initiative.¹ Although they found 366 cases of seriouscomplications after transfusion, they conclude that transfusionsare extremely safe. This conclusion is not supported by theirdata because they do not mention the total number of transfusions.A rate of complications would be useful for junior doctors, whousually have to seek patients' consent to procedures. Do any suchdataexist?

Paul Nederlof, senior house officer in obstetrics and gynaecology.
Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, Gloucester GL1 3NN

paulesteruk@paulesteruk.demon.co.uk

1.	Williamson LM, Lowe S, Love EM, Cohen H, Soldan K, McClelland DBL, et al. Serious hazards of transfusion (SHOT) initiative: analysis of the first two annual reports. BMJ 1999; 319: 16-19[Abstract/Free Full Text]. (3 July.)

Autologous transfusion would avoid many of the problems of blood transfusion

EDITOR $---$ Two articles in the BMJ last year highlight important issues in blood transfusion $---$ namely, safety and autologous transfusion $---$ andemphasise the need for education and standardisation of procedures. ¹ ² Provan raises the issues of availability and cost.¹ The requirementfor red cells is increasing annually by 2-3% against a staticor even falling number of donations. One solution, suggested byboth Provan¹ and the NHS Executive,³ . . . [Full text of this article]

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Serious hazards of transfusion (SHOT) initiative: analysis of the first two annual reports: L M Williamson, S Lowe, E M Love, H Cohen, K Soldan, D B L McClelland, P Skacel, and J A J Barbara
BMJ 1999 319: 16-19. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]