The Royal College of Pathologists is proud to endorse the Serious Hazards of Transfusion (SHOT) Transfusion Safety Standards.
The SHOT Transfusion Safety Standards have been produced to address the recurring trends identified across annual reports. They aim to embed a new proactive approach to improve patient safety, enhance governance and accountability, and infuse transparency and learning across all levels of care.
The standards also directly respond to the systematic gaps highlighted by recent findings and recommendations of the Infected Blood Inquiry report, Lord Darzi’s report from an independent investigation of the NHS in England and the Health Services Safety Investigations Body report ‘Recommendations but no action: improving the effectiveness of quality and safety recommendations in healthcare’.
The SHOT Transfusion Safety Standards are based on insights from nearly 30 years of haemovigilance reporting across the UK as well as existing national standards, regulations, and evidence- based guidance. They provide a stable and consistent framework for organisations where blood is transfused to support healthcare staff to deliver on the recommendation from the Infected Blood Inquiry that ‘…all NHS organisations across the UK have a mechanism in place for implementing recommendations of Serious Hazard of Transfusion (SHOT) reports, which should be professionally mandated, and for monitoring such implementation'. Dr Megan Rowley, SHOT Steering Group Chair
In the creation of the standards, there was broad and meaningful engagement with insights shared by clinicians, scientists, regulators and, crucially, patient representatives whose voices have helped shape key elements of these standards.
I am really encouraged to see the comprehensive yet clear and practical way in which these Standards address the salutary learning from the Infected Blood Inquiry. They now need thoughtful adoption by clinicians and managers to make transfusion safer for patients and avoid future tragedies. Elisabeth Buggins, Patient Co-Chair, National Blood Transfusion Committee
The new SHOT standards are intended to provide a framework for peer review and self-assessment, compliance checks by regulatory organisations and/or national oversight. The new standards will allow each organisation delivering transfusion services a vital guide and the toolset for self-assessment of compliance, working to ensure patient safety.
As a long-term transfusion patient, I’ve been privileged to contribute as a patient representative in the development of the updated safety standards. Being part of this process has been incredibly meaningful — not just as someone who has benefited from transfusion care, but as someone now helping to shape safer, more transparent systems for others. Knowing there are rigorous guidelines in place helps build trust in the system and also those who care for us. As a patient representative I see these new standards as a foundation for better, safer outcomes for everyone. Dipika Shah, Patient representative and Senior EQA Scientist UK NEQAS BTLP
The College fully supports the vital work that SHOT has undertaken to embed a stronger culture of openness and accountability in our healthcare systems, alongside their aim to enhance transfusion safety for patients and the continual improvement in haemovigilance. Dr Bernie Croal, President of The Royal College of Pathologists
Since 1996, SHOT has collected and reviewed anonymised reporting on adverse events in blood transfusion, across all healthcare organisations in the UK that are involved in the transfusion of blood and blood components. Where risks and problems are identified SHOT provides recommendations to improve patient safety.
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