The TACO pre-transfusion risk assessment infographic was updated in the 2020 Annual
SHOT Report to make it suitable for incorporation into clinical documents (Narayan, et al., 2021). Following feedback from reporters, a clarification has been added regarding the use of a prophylactic diuretic. The word ‘checklist’ has also been standardised to ‘risk assessment’. Overtransfusion and unnecessary/avoidable transfusion remain significant avoidable causes of TACO.
The TACO pre-transfusion risk assessment has been further updated in the 2024 Annual SHOT Report to ensure the appropriate indication and volume of red cell transfusion is a key consideration as a mitigation for TACO. It reflects the recently updated National Blood Transfusion Committee (NBTC) indication codes which includes code R7 (transfusion for severe chronic anaemia) which emphasises a minimal/single unit transfusion strategy for those patients who are at additional risk of TACO (NBTC, 2024). Other changes include inclusion of all heart valve disease, and simplification of ‘hypoalbuminaemia’ to ‘a low serum albumin level’.
The image below is taken from the 2024 Annual SHOT Report, Chapter 20a Transfusion-Associated Circulatory Overload.
TACO pre-transfusion risk assessment Annual Annual SHOT Report 2024
