Guide to the preparation, use and quality assurance of blood Components

In the absence of substitutes, the use of blood components remains essential in therapy. This guide contains a compendium of measures designed to ensure the safety, efficacy and quality of blood components for transfusion services, based on the premise of voluntary, non-remunerated blood donation. It describes the different blood components and gives information on their clinical indications and possible side effects. This new edition also includes a completely revised chapter on good manufacturing practice. Adopted in 1995 as a technical appendix to Recommendation no. R (95) 15 of the Council of Europe, this guide continues to provide an established standard for blood transfusion services, and forms the basis for many national guidelines in Europe and elsewhere.