Blood is in short supply but used correctly can be life-saving [3-5].

The decision to transfuse blood or blood products should be based on the necessity to save life or prevent significant morbidity.

An otherwise fit healthy patient who has been appropriately resuscitated should tolerate a haemoglobin of 7-8 g/dl.

A patient with ischaemic heart disease may require a higher haemoglobin of 10 g/dl.

Use of autologous (patient's own) blood should be considered where possible.

• Group and save
• Cross match

Available in the Downloads section of the Resources page: Clinical Use of Blood, Update in Anaesthesia issue 14 (2002) Emergency Autologous Blood transfusion in ruptured ectopic pregnancy, Update in Anaesthesia issue 2 (1992) WHO: The appropriate clinical use of blood and blood products