Technical factsheets and questions

Technical factsheets

These factsheets have been developed to provide information to operators and staff using cell salvage equipment.

Intraoperative cell salvage

The following provide information on specific areas in relation to intraoperative cell salvage (ICS).

Please note:

• Factsheet 1 (blood collection and processing) replaces previous factsheet 1 (swab washing), factsheet 2 (anticoagulation) and factsheet 3 (collection of blood).
• Factsheet 2 now incorporates previous factsheet 5 (administration of salvaged blood).

Title
Title Factsheet 01 - Blood collection and processing v1 (PDF only, 253KB)
Title Factsheet 02 - Reinfusion of salvaged blood v5 (PDF only, 138KB)
Title Factsheet 03 - Cell salvage in Jehovah's Witness patients v5 (PDF only, 205KB)
Title Factsheet 05 - Staff responsibilities v2 (PDF only, 113KB)
Title Factsheet 06 - ICS for endoscopic surgery v2 (PDF only, 66KB)
Title Factsheet 07 - Use of filters v2 (PDF only, 114KB)
Title Factsheet 08 - Use in obstetrics v2 (PDF only, 402KB)
Title Factsheet 09 - Contraindications v1.1 (PDF only, 174KB)
Title Factsheet 12 - Metallosis v1 (PDF only, 257KB)

Postoperative cell salvage

The following provide information on specific areas in relation to postoperative cell salvage (PCS).

Title
Title Factsheet 01 - Staff responsibilities for PCS v2 (PDF only, 102KB)
Title Factsheet 02 - Contraindications for PCS v1 (PDF only, 98KB)
Title Factsheet 03 - PCS blood collection v1 (PDF only, 98KB)
Title Factsheet 04 - Reinfusion of PCS blood v1 (PDF only, 214KB)
Title Factsheet 05 - Administration of PCS blood v2 (PDF only, 205KB)
Title Factsheet 06 - Use of PCS for Jehovah's Witness patients v1 (PDF only, 89KB)

Questions about cell salvage

As the UK Cell Salvage Action Group worked on producing the factsheets above, questions were asked about use in specific situations. This led to the development of frequently asked questions (FAQ) and infrequently asked questions (IAQ) sheets for use by operators and clinicians. These will be updated by the group as more questions become available.

Frequently asked questions

Title
Title Frequently asked questions sheet (PDF only, 104KB)

Topics include:

• Procedures where ICS is indicated 
• Pulse lavage
• Types of sucker
• Filters
• Tranexamic acid
• Dedicated operators
• HIV and hepatitis
• Duration for loaded kit (used and unused)
• Consent for cell salvage

Infrequently asked questions

Title
Title Infrequently asked questions sheet (PDF only, 192KB)

Topics include:

• Rh null syndrome
• Cold agglutinin antibodies
• Hydatidiform mole with co-existent healthy foetus
• Can part-filled bowls be safely transfused?