The process for obtaining informed consent from blood donors and transfusion recipients involves much more than getting a consent form signed.

This Guideline reviews the ethical and legal basis of the consent doctrine and suggests elements of the consent process that should be included in both the donor and recipient settings. It also reviews the roles of the physician directing a phlebotomy, the treating clinician and the medical directors of the blood bank or transfusion service. Useful guidance is provided to anyone interested in achieving high-quality consent processes.

By John W. Burch, MD, and Lynne Uhl, MD, for the AABB Scientific Section Coordinating Committee