[Blood-saving procedures--legal aspects].

The homologous blood transfusion bears some risks (infections, intolerance reactions) which cannot be controlled even if all requirements of medical diligence are met. The risk of an AIDS infection is much less important than that of hepatitis non A non B. However, this new disease is the reason that physicians, patients, as well as the public have become particularly aware of these risks. Among other measures of risk minimization by blood sparing procedures, the possibilities of autologous versus homologous transfusions have to be discussed, too. The autologous transfusion offers more security. From the legal point of view, the physician has to choose the less dangerous of two equally efficient methods as soon as this method is available for practical use. The donation of autoblood which has a limited range of application (elective interventions) is a recognized method, but its general realization is still hindered by unsolved problems of pharmacology law, organization and remuneration politics. The preparation of autoblood from intraoperative losses of blood is not yet possible at all department because of the high equipment costs and the personnel expenditure. The hospital institution is in charge of providing the equipment and the staff necessary for a medical care which meets the modern standard. The chief physicians have to inform the hospital institution about these requirements. If autologous transfusion procedures are practically not available, it depends on regional conditions if an information of the patient is obligatory or not.