In line with our new website and as a result of NATA’s decision to invest more in electronic ways of promoting our network, I would like to inform you about a change in membership arrangements.

You may have noticed that a new Members section was recently added to the website. It is anticipated that in the future this section will contain webcasts of interest to members as well as the presentations delivered at NATA meetings. In addition, we hope to provide details of other members, subject to their approval, to enhance the ability for members to contact each other. In the fullness of time, various live discussions may be possible and can be held within this “Members only” section.

As this activity does not require the provision of printed material, it has had an effect on the membership fee to join NATA. The annual membership fee is now EUR 50 and can be paid online via the Nataonline website (Members area). Active membership will entitle the member to a EUR 50 reduction of the registration price at the annual symposium. I urge you to join as a new member or renew your membership via the link below to take advantage of this exciting new venture.

I look forward to seeing you in Copenhagen.

Dafydd Thomas
NATA Chair
NATA Members section

The 13th Annual NATA Symposium was a great sucess, with over 500 delegates from 38 countries. The plenary sessions and the workshops were very well attended.

An evaluation summary and the speakers' slide presentations will be posted here shortly.

The management of massive hemorrhage/transfusion in trauma has evolved considerably in the past few years. Based on a consensus established in 2005, several civilian trauma centers have adopted a restrictive approach to the administration of crystalloids in view of minimizing hemodilution, along with the transfusion of red blood cells (RBC), fresh frozen plasma (FFP) and platelet concentrates (PC) in a 1:1:1 ratio. In a Nataonline Focused Update, Professor Jean-François discusses the evidence supporting this strategy.

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The second edition of the NATA textbook, entitled Alternatives to Blood Transfusion in Transfusion Medicine

and co-edited by Prof. Alice Maniatis, Prof. Philippe Van der Linden and Prof. Jean-Francois Hardy, was released on October 1, 2010 by Wiley-Blackwell.

The book includes 47 chapters contributed by recognized experts from various specialties. The chapters are divided into the following sections:

1. History and Development of Transfusion Medicine
2. Allogeneic Blood Usage--Risks and Benefits
3. Volume Replacement
4. Tolerance of Anemia
5. Perioperative Hemostasis
6. Transfusion Triggers
7. Alternatives to Allogeneic Blood Transfusion
8. Legal and Ethical Issues in Transfusion Medicine
9. Cost Issues