A study of transfusion related adverse events at a tertiary care centre in North India: an initiative towards hemovigilance

Abstract

Background: The goal of hemovigilance is to improve the transfusion safety. The present study was undertaken to detect and analyze the transfusion related adverse events as a pilot effort towards hemovigilance from the institution. Methods: The present retrospective study was conducted in the Department of Transfusion Medicine, Government Medical College, Jammu from Jan 2014- Dec 2014. All the adverse events related to transfusion of blood and blood products reported to the department were recorded and analyzed as per Departmental Standard operating procedures. Results: During 1 year study period 33,852 blood and blood components were issued to various clinical departments. Ninety four reactions were reported, the type of reaction observed were allergic reactions in 41.5%, followed by febrile non hemolytic transfusion reaction(FNHTR) in 35.5%, Acute hemolytic reactions in 11.7%, delayed hemolytic transfusion reactions(DHTR) in 4.2%, transfusion associated cardiac overload (TACO) in 4.2% and Bacterial sepsis in 2.1%. Conclusion: The frequency of transfusion in our patients was found to be 0.27%. Factors such as rational use of blood components, improving storage conditions, bedside monitoring of transfusion and documentation of adverse events will help in improving transfusion safety.