BLOOD-TRANSFUSION RELATED INFECTION RISK

Compared with other nosocomial infections, transfusion-associated infe ctious risks are of minor relevance in the Federal Republic of Germany today. The actual spectrum of measures for an optimal degree of safet y of blood components comprises a careful donor selection, highly sens itive and specific screening assays for viral parameters, inactivation and quarantine procedures for plasmatic preparations. Further possibl e improvements, both in the blood bank and clinical setting are discus sed with regard to the inevitable residual risks of hemotherapy.