Cell Salvage (CS) Cumulative Data - Serious Hazards of Transfusion

Definition:

Any adverse events or reactions associated with cell salvage (autologous) transfusion methods, including intraoperative cell salvage (CS) and postoperative cell salvage (PCS) (washed or unwashed).

SHOT has collected stand-alone data on autologous transfusions since 2008. Prior to this, reports were included within other categories, for example IBCT or acute reactions. The original reporting category definition included incidents relating to acute normovolaemic haemodilution (ANH) and preoperative autologous donation (PAD) until 2017.

SHOT Transfusion Safety Standards

The SHOT Transfusion Safety Standards were released in July 2025, and these replace recommendations in the Annual SHOT Reports. More details on these can be found at: https://www.shotuk.org/transfusion-safety/transfusion-safety-standards/

Recommendations from recent Annual SHOT Reports (prior to 2024)

Cell salvage policies and procedures should include information on potential risks, including cell salvage related hypotension and the simple measures that need to be taken should it occur
Action: Cell salvage leads, cell salvage practitioners and theatre teams

Organisations should review their policies to confirm that they are up to date with current practices and guidance
Action: Cell salvage leads, hospital transfusion teams, hospital transfusion committee

Organisations should review local incident reporting processes to ensure cell salvage incidents can be identified as blood transfusion related and inform the hospital transfusion team who should be included in the investigation process
Action: Cell salvage leads, hospital transfusion teams, hospital transfusion committee, governance leads

Please see the individual SHOT chapters at the end of the page for other previous recommendations which remain relevant.