[Essential standards of mechanical autologous donation and transfusion].

Apparative autologous blood donation and transfusion can be performed by simple devices (Bentley ATS, Sorenson, Solcotrans) or by using cell separation and RBC-washing (Dideco, Haemonetics). Due to many problems in retransfusion of recovered whole blood, simple devices should no longer be used. By mechanical autotransfusion including cell separation and RBC-washing, an autologous RBC-concentrate of high quality is reached. Considering essential standards, mechanical autotransfusion is a safe method to reduce the risks of homologous blood transfusion.