A new tool for communicating transfusion risk information

An effective means is needed for communicating information on transfusion-associated risks to patients and the public. For the patient, understanding the probability of an adverse simple and instructive tools with which to visually communicate both absolute and relative risk; however, properly designed studies are needed to determine the effectiveness of such instruments. It is also remains to be determined whether risk perception and responses to risk can be altered by using such an approach. It is time to address such issues, as this approach may indeed be an advance in transfusion medicine.