Systems contributing to the assurance of transfusion safety in the United Kingdom

In 1996, the United Kingdom launched a voluntary 'haemovigilance' system fo r confidential reporting of transfusion-related deaths and major adverse ev ents. The Serious Hazards of Transfusion (SHOT) initiative provided the fir st comprehensive overview of transfusion safety in the UK, with 12 fataliti es reported in the first year. The most important finding was that of a tot al of 169 reports, 47% were 'wrong blood to patient' episodes, of which 16 were ABO-incompatible, There were eight transfusion-transmitted infections, three bacterial, four viral and one malarial, A number of other initiative s exist in the UK which also have importance in contributing to transfusion safety. This article reviews these other key contributors, allowing SHOT t o be context.