[Risk of infection caused by homologous blood transfusion]

Compared with other nosocomial infections, transfusion-associated infectious risks are of minor relevance in the Federal Republic of Germany today. The actual spectrum of measures for an optimal degree of safety of blood components comprises a careful donor selection, highly sensitive and specific screening assays for viral parameters, inactivation and quarantine procedures for plasmatic preparations. Further possible improvements, both in the blood bank and clinical setting are discussed with regard to the inevitable residual risks of hemotherapy.