[The responsibility of the physician prescriber of blood products]

Blood transfusion presents mainly virological, bacteriological, immunohaematological and volemic risks; with the latter two particularly concerning health establishment employees. This article tackles the physician's responsibility in blood transfusion. Taking into account the regulations that surround the activity, prescribing physicians must know and put into action the relative requirements in their practises in order to avoid taking on its responsibility, or that of the health establishment in which they work, as any lack of respect for the rules and regulations could result in being held liable for any side affects suffered by the patient. The article has the objective of identifying the main regulation requirements in order to control them despite a difficult environment, from the point of view of patients' rights regarding the benefits and the consequences of transfusion. These requirements focus mainly on information and patient consent, the prescription of blood products as well post transfusion information and the follow-up care. Proof of respect for these rule requirements must be available for each of these aspects.