Abstract:
The CCSSA PBM Guidelines have been developed to improve patient blood management in critically ill patients in southern Africa. These
consensus recommendations are based on a rigorous process by experts in the field of critical care who are also practicing in South Africa (SA). The
process comprised a Delphi process, a round-table meeting (at the CCSSA National Congress, Durban, 2018), and a review of the best available
evidence and international guidelines. The guidelines focus on the broader principles of patient blood management and incorporate transfusion
medicine (transfusion guidelines), management of anaemia, optimisation of coagulopathy, and administrative and ethical considerations. There
are a mix of low-middle and high-income healthcare structures within southern Africa. Blood products are, however, provided by the same notfor-
profit non-governmental organisations to both private and public sectors. There are several challenges related to patient blood management
in SA due most notably to a high incidence of anaemia, a frequent shortage of blood products, a small donor population, and a healthcare system
under financial strain. The rational and equitable use of blood products is important to ensure best care for as many critically ill patients as
possible. The summary of the recommendations provides key practice points for the day-to-day management of critically ill patients. A more
detailed description of the evidence used to make these recommendations follows in the full clinical guidelines section.
