SHOT is affiliated to the Royal College of PathologistsTraining in ABO and D blood group principles is essential for all laboratory nd clinical staff with any responsibility for the transfusion process. This should form part of the competency assessments. All available information technology (IT) systems to support transfusion practice should be considered and these systems implemented to their full functionality. Electronic blood management systems should be considered in all clinical settings where transfusion takes place. This is no longer an innovative approach to safe transfusion practice, it is the standard that all should aim for. A formal pre-transfusion risk assessment for transfusion-associated circulatory overload (TACO) should be undertaken whenever possible, as TACO is the most commonly reported cause of transfusionrelated mortality and major morbidity (repeat from last year
