[Correct performance of transfusion]

The administration of blood products is strictly regulated. Warming of blood components at body temperature is required only in rare cases. Addition of drugs to blood products is not allowed. During transfusion the monitoring of the patient is continued. In the case of an adverse event, exclusion of acute hemolysis is very important. As emergency transfusions have a higher risk than standard transfusions, their indications have to be restricted. When transfusion is completed the blood bag has to be preserved for 24 h. The effects of the blood transfusion have to be controlled. The administration of blood products must be documented to allow a possible cross-check from the recipient to the donor as well as from the donor to the recipient. The disposal of administered and of non-administered blood components is subject to the guidelines for hospital waste.