[The new hemotherapy guideline].

Area of Science:

• Transfusion Medicine
• Healthcare Policy
• Patient Safety

Background:

• The 2017 update of German hemotherapy guidelines was necessitated by drug legislation, requiring a revised structure.
• These guidelines represent the state-of-the-art for blood and blood component collection and application, aligning with the Transfusion Act.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present the updated 2017 German hemotherapy guidelines, reflecting current best practices and legal requirements.
• To highlight key areas of focus including patient consent, documentation, quality management, and error reporting.

Main Methods:

• Revision and restructuring of existing hemotherapy guidelines.
• Incorporation of drug legislation and Transfusion Act requirements.
• Inclusion of patient blood management (PBM) principles and autologous hemotherapy procedures.

Main Results:

• Updated guidelines emphasize patient consent, documentation, and reporting of transfusion reactions.
• Detailed descriptions of quality management, assurance, and responsibilities within transfusion workflows are provided.
• Patient blood management (PBM) and mechanical autotransfusion (MAT) are promoted for efficient blood product utilization and cost reduction.

Conclusions:

• The updated guidelines aim to enhance patient safety through improved error management and surveillance.
• Clear and distinct core principles of hemotherapy are presented for medical professionals and transfusion teams.
• The guidelines serve as the primary document for hemotherapy in Germany, ensuring compliance and best practices.