Does anyone have a good information sheet that can be given to patients explaining the risks, benefits, and alternatives to blood products? I have one that's outdated as far as the risks are concerned...they have changed, when babesia and TRALI entered the picture. Does anyone have a reference for the most current risks for blood transfusion?

Great question! This is something I'm trying to work on right now too. I would love to hear suggestions.

The American Red Cross published A Compendium of Transfusion Practice Guidelines. The appendices contains charts listing immunologic and nonimmunologic complications of transfusion along with the estimated incidence and residual risk to the recipient. It also identifies the associated reference(s). The compendium can be accessed electronically in the "For Hosptials" tab of their website at www.RedCrossBlood.org

SMW: thanks so much. An excellent publication, chock full of good stuff.