Blood Transfusions: Paul Gann Safety Act and Informed Consent

Physicians and surgeons must use standardized information when consenting patients of the positive and negative aspects of receiving autologous blood and directed or non-directed homologous blood from volunteers. Autologous blood includes preoperative donations, intraoperative autologous transfusion, postoperative autologous transfusion, hemodilution, and plasmapheresis.

Desired Outcomes:

• Differentiate between normal situations and emergency situations when providing blood transfusion patient consent,
• Follow the Natividad Policy regarding the use of the Department of Health Services literature entitled “a Patient’s Guide to Blood Transfusions,”
• Note in the patient’s medical record that the standardized written summary was given to the patient or the patient’s legal representative.

CME Activity Flyer (PDF)