Annual Haemovigilance Report

Haemovigilance Report 2008 Last updated on: 18 Nov 2009 || File size: 2093 Kb || Acrobat Reader Required.

Haemovigilance Report 2007 Last updated on: 29 Sep 2008 || File size: 1524 Kb || Acrobat Reader Required.

Haemovigilance_Report_2006 Last updated on: 17 Dec 2007 || File size: 1045 Kb || Acrobat Reader Required.

Haemovigilance Report 2005 Last updated on: 17 Oct 2007 || File size: 5285 Kb || Acrobat Reader Required.

If you would like a printed copy of this annual report please contact the National Haemovigilance Office.

The publication of this, the first, annual haemovigilance report for New Zealand is a significant milestone for both NZBS and the wider health sector. The report provides information on the adverse events associated with transfusion in New Zealand. It will assist health professionals to better understand the risks associated with transfusion and to communicate these to potential recipients.

During the last few years considerable efforts have been devoted to gaining support for the haemovigilance initiative in New Zealand. Haemovigilance schemes provide an opportunity to both understand the type and frequency of adverse events linked to transfusion. Information from similar schemes in other countries has shown that a proportion of adverse events are avoidable. These events generally result from breakdown in the complex systems used to deliver blood products to patients. Data obtained form the haemovigilance programme in New Zealand therefore provides an opportunity to review and improve these systems and in doing so increase the overall safety profile of transfusion.

NZBS collects a wide range of data, which are considered under the umbrella of haemovigilance. In addition to transfusion-related events these include data on the number of donations collected, number of components transfused, wastage and outdating of components, bacterial monitoring of platelets, reporting of adverse reactions to fractionated products, donor-related incidents, donor infectious disease epidemiology amongst others.

The ability to produce a report of this type requires support from all those many individuals, including doctors, nurses and laboratory staff, involved in the delivery of transfusion to patients. NZBS is very appreciative of the time and effort that these individuals have given to ensuring the success of the initiative.