[Adjustment of the consensus guidelines on blood transfusion policies at hospitals]

The consensus guidelines for blood transfusion in hospitals published in 1982 have been adjusted taking into account recent developments in compatibility testing, storage media for red cells, autologous blood transfusion and blood ordering. The 'type and screen'-strategy, previously recommended with certain restrictions, is now considered safe and advantageous as regards availability of blood for transfusion. The saline-adenine-glucose-mannitol (SAGM) solution for preservation of red cell concentrates is recommended as it has clinical and logistic advantages. Guidelines for pre- and peroperative autologous blood transfusion and the use of frozen autologous red cell concentrates are presented.