Korean J Blood Transfus.  2016 Dec;27(3):257-264. 10.17945/kjbt.2016.27.3.257.

A Survey of Physicians' Opinion on Informed Consent for Transfusion after the Introduction of the National Blood Transfusion Guideline

• Kim H
• Cho D
• Jo HJ
• Choi SR
• Kim JN
• Um TH

• KMID: 2368788
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.17945/kjbt.2016.27.3.257

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The decision on whether or not to transfuse should be based on agreement from the patient's own understanding and free will. In Korea, the transfusion guideline first developed in 2009 specified that informed consent should be obtained before transfusion. The standard consent form has also been distributed since 2010. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the degree of improvement in obtaining informed consent for blood transfusion.
METHODS
Prior to the development of the transfusion guideline in 2008, an e-mail survey was conducted on 105 clinicians. In 2015, questionnaires were sent to 1,179 clinicians, 32 academic societies, and 6 institutions.
RESULTS
Forty-three and 374 answers were received in 2008 and 2015, respectively (response rate, 41.0% and 30.7%). Compared with 2008, the use of explanatory materials increased from 20.9% to 70.5%, and consent acquisitions using a written form increased from 27.9% to 81.7%. The number of respondents who answered that informed consent for transfusions is absolutely necessary also increased from 51.2% to 71.3%. Among the reasons why obtaining informed consent for transfusion can be difficult, the response that standardized consent form is unavailable decreased from 51.2% to 26.9%.
CONCLUSION
The transfusion guideline and the standard consent form have contributed greatly to the improvement of obtaining informed consent before blood transfusion at medical institutions in Korea.

Keyword

Informed consent; Blood transfusion; Surveys and questionnaires; Guideline

MeSH Terms

Blood Transfusion*
Consent Forms
Electronic Mail
Informed Consent*
Korea
Personal Autonomy
Surveys and Questionnaires