Publication:

Adverse blood transfusion reactions at tertiary care hospital

Background The goal of hemovigilance is to increase the safety and quality of blood transfusion. It is necessary to recognize and prompt response to adverse transfusion reactions, which will help in taking appropriate steps to reduce their incidence and make blood transfusion process as safe as possible. The aim of the study was to determine the frequency and type of transfusion reactions (TRs) occurring in patients, reported to the blood bank at our institute.

Methods A retrospective review of all TRs reported to the blood bank Krishna Hospital, between January 2011 and July 2013 was done. All the TRs were evaluated in the blood bank and classified using standard definitions.

Results During the study period a total 13126 units of blood and components were issued by our blood bank and total of 45 (0.3%) adverse reactions were reported to blood bank. The most common reaction observed was allergic reaction 25(55.6%) followed by FNHTR 15 (33.3%).

Conclusions Not a single case of anaphylactic reactions, TRALI, acute immune hemolytic transfusion reaction, and Sepsis was observed. This can be an underestimation of the true incidence because of under reporting which can be improved by proper hemovigilence system to provide better patient care.