Safer haemotherapy: the responsibilities of government, transfusion service, blood donors, and physician-users.

Despite the introduction of new selection, screening and quality assurance procedures, transfusion of allogeneic blood or blood products is not without risk. Iatrogenic bacterial or viral infection and incompletely understood immunological effects remain major concerns. Close communication and cooperation between the major players on the blood transfusion team - government, transfusion service, blood donors, and physician-users - are essential if new developments and technology are to lead to safer and more efficacious haemotherapy.