Blood transfusion is an essential medical treatment, from the everyday use in surgery to the treatment of large-scale bleeding accompanying external injury. Securing sufficient quantities of blood product and ensuring safe storage are critical. A 24-hour system of blood transfusion inspection by medical technologists has been enforced in our hospital since April, 1999 to improve the safety of blood transfusion treatment at night and on weekends. The medical technologists in the clinical laboratory and the division of blood transfusion carried out examinations in combination. There were no clinical problems after blood transfusion, and a safe blood supply has been maintained. As for medical technologists not specializing in the division of blood transfusion, blood type and crossmatching tests could be confirmed by the introduction of the Micro Typing System without problem. The execution of regular study meetings and maintenance of the manual are necessary so that the medical technologists not specializing in blood transfusion can carry out examinations confidently. An examination system is effective, but the safety of the blood transfusion treatment at night and on weekends can not be 100% secured. It is important to im-prove the consciousness of the clinical staff who perform blood transfusion treatment with regular training.

*Division of Blood Transfusion, Kinki University Hospital, Osakasayama 589-8511