3.21 Reporting of Adverse Events | New Zealand Blood Service

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Transfusion medicine

Transfusion medicine handbook

The Transfusion Medicine Handbook is designed to assist hospital staff and other health professionals in modern Transfusion Medicine Practice.

3. Guide to Good Transfusion Practice

3.21 Reporting of Adverse Events

The following are regarded as transfusion-related events.

  • The patient experiences a reaction as a result of transfusion.
  • The patient has received an inappropriate transfusion.
  • The patient received a blood component or fractionated product intended for another patient.
  • Special requirements (for example, irradiated components) are not met.

Transfusion reactions can cause a patient’s condition to rapidly deteriorate with respiratory distress, hypotension and collapse. Any signs or symptoms suggesting a reaction should not be ignored, but rather assessed immediately.

Any untoward reaction or event occurring during or after the transfusion must be reported immediately to the blood bank and serious events (life-threatening or with a risk of major morbidity) should also be reported to a NZBS Transfusion Medicine Specialist/Medical Officer or NZBS Transfusion Nurse Specialist.

Adverse effects of transfusion and the reporting of events is covered in detail in Chapter 7: Adverse Effects of Transfusion

 

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Last updated: January 2024. Previously part of 111G122 – Transfusion Medicine Handbook 3rd Edition

NZBS Reference: 111G01902

 

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