2023 Volume 12 Issue 2 Pages 74-82
Blood transfusion medicine in Japan is supported by the blood donation system. The government has issued guidelines and standards of use to promote proper use, and the “Guidelines for the implementation of blood transfusion therapy” and the “Guidelines for the use of blood products” have come to be widely used as guidelines for proper use. Various safety measures have been taken to improve the safety of blood products, with which a significant improvement could be achieved. In 2003, the Act on Securing a Stable Supply of Safe Blood Products was enacted. Based on the basic principles of blood safety improvement and the domestic self-sufficiency through voluntary non-remunerated donation, securing stable blood supply, and promoting appropriate use of blood, in addition to ensuring fairness and improving transparency in business operations, the role of medical professionals involved in the blood transfusion chain has been clearly defined. The blood transfusion management system in medical institutions has been improved, and a system unique to Japan, which aims to achieve safe and appropriate blood transfusion practices through multidisciplinary blood transfusion medical care, has been implemented.
