The French haemovigilance system

Proposing a Model for the National Hemovigilance Information System in Iran

The present study aimed to propose a model for the national hemovigilance information system with a database approach, considering the importance and necessity of developing an information system for such a network.

This is an applied, descriptive, and cross-sectional study, which was conducted in 2018. The research population comprised hemovigilance information systems in advanced countries, including the USA, UK, Australia, and France. Data were collected from library sources and the Internet from 2000 to 2018. The proposed model for the national hemovigilance information system was introduced using comparative tables and based on the similarities and differences of systems in the studied countries. The proposed model was then validated using the two-step Delphi technique through a researcher-made questionnaire whose validity was confirmed, and reliability was approved by a Cronbach’s alpha of 94%.

The final model of the national hemovigilance information system comprised five main components: goals, organizations involved in the blood transfusion process, databases of blood transfusion organizations, data transfer flow between the databases of blood transfusion organizations, and transferable datasets, and hemovigilance-related committees. This model was approved by experts with an >85% agreement coefficient.

The national hemovigilance information system with a database approach can improve blood transfusion health by providing access to reliable sources on blood transfusion complications to everyone, especially the medical community. Thus, it is essential to implement this standard accurately and precisely control the practical methods of this process based on international guidelines.

Surveillance of transfusion-transmissible infections comparison of systems in five developed countries

Most industrialized countries maintain surveillance programs for monitoring transmissible infection in blood donations, revising approaches to methodology and risk assessment as new threats emerge. A comparison of programs in the United States, Canada, France, the UK, and Australia indicates that they have similar function, although the structure of blood programs vary as does the extent and nature of formal ties with public health. The emergence of HIV in the late 1970s and early 1980s was key in recognizing that surveillance systems specific to blood transfusion were essential. Hence, most industrialized countries monitor transfusion-transmissible infections in donors and evaluate the impact of new testing and of predonation screening strategies. Emerging infections since HIV have had different transmission pathways and challenged blood programs to draw upon resources for a rapid and effective response, with recognition that the original focus on sexual/drug-related risk of HIV and hepatitis was inadequate. The focus of surveillance programs on new and emerging pathogens fulfills a key role in risk assessment and policy formulation. The precise nature of such activities varies by country because of the structure of the blood programs and surveillance systems, the strategic focus of the blood programs, and the epidemiology of disease in each country.

Interventions Implemented to Reduce the Risk of Transmission of Bacteria by Transfusion in the English National Blood Service

SUMMARY: BACKGROUND: Bacterial contamination remains a significant problem in transfusion medicine. A National Health Service Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) study and surveillance data indicated skin commensals derived from the skin of the donor are the major contaminants of blood components. NHSBT therefore explored two interventions: improved donor arm disinfection and diversion. METHODS: IMPROVED DONOR ARM DISINFECTION: Commercial and in-house methods of disinfection were evaluated. Swabs at the venepuncture site were taken before and after disinfection and the reduction in bioburden determined. Diversion: Special collection bags were manufactured to allow the initial volume of blood to flow into a pouch, representing the diversion pouch and then the next flow of blood into another pouch representing the collection bag. Pouches were screened for the presence of bacteria. The reduction in bacterial contamination was then determined. RESULTS: A two-step commercial procedure (Donor Prep Kit; DPK) consisting of 70% isopropyl alcohol followed by tincture of iodine was shown to be a best practice procedure (2-min procedure). A 99.79% reduction was obtained, and this method was 10 times more effective than current practice at that time. The DPK was shown in a field trial to increase donor waiting time. A second study was initiated to find a more rapid procedure. ChloraPrep®, consisting of 2% chlorhexidine gluconate and 70% isopropyl alcohol, was shown to have equivalent disinfection efficiency as the DPK, but only took 1 min to perform. In 2006, ChloraPrep was introduced as the national method of donor arm disinfection. Diversion was shown to give a 47% reduction in contamination and was introduced nationally in 2002. CONCLUSION: Improved donor arm disinfection and diversion are effective, low-cost interventions, but do not eliminate all bacterial transmissions. In 2011, bacterial screening of platelet components was introduced by NHSBT to further increase the safety of the blood supply.

Near miss errors in transfusion medicine: the experience of the G. Gaslini transfusion medicine service

BACKGROUND

The monitoring of near miss errors, in other words events that cannot be classified as substantial errors, but whose occurrence suggests that there is probably a critical point in a working procedure, can be useful in order to prevent these 'almost errors' from occurring again or to prevent them evolving into 'relevant errors'.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

The methods for picking up and studying near miss errors use widely tested systems that have recently also been applied to medicine. These systems are based on the process of identifying the risk through spontaneous notifications of events (incident reporting). In our Service of Immunohaematology and Transfusion Medicine (SIMT) these reports were assessed using root cause analysis, allowing us to introduce corrective actions to eliminate or reduce the risk.

RESULTS

We report the distribution, type and frequency of near miss errors, divided according to the stage of the working procedure in which they occurred, and for each of them describe the possible causes and corrective actions identified. We show how the possibility of an error, with potentially harmful consequences for the patient, is present throughout the whole transfusion chain. Near miss errors in Transfusion Medicine can be included in the wider field of 'clinical risk, a problem that concerns not only SIMT, but also numerous other sectors of health care.

CONCLUSION

The instruments identified through this study can lower the threshold of clinical risk in a Transfusion Service.

Transfusion-transmitted infections

Although the risk of transfusion-transmitted infections today is lower than ever, the supply of safe blood products remains subject to contamination with known and yet to be identified human pathogens. Only continuous improvement and implementation of donor selection, sensitive screening tests and effective inactivation procedures can ensure the elimination, or at least reduction, of the risk of acquiring transfusion transmitted infections. In addition, ongoing education and up-to-date information regarding infectious agents that are potentially transmitted via blood components is necessary to promote the reporting of adverse events, an important component of transfusion transmitted disease surveillance. Thus, the collaboration of all parties involved in transfusion medicine, including national haemovigilance systems, is crucial for protecting a secure blood product supply from known and emerging blood-borne pathogens.

[Necessity for blood transfusion in head and neck surgery]

INTRODUCTION

Sometimes, use of blood products is necessary in head and neck surgery, but blood transfusion also entails risks for the patients and causes high costs for the department. Therefore, we examined the surgical procedures in our department and analysed how often transfusion of blood was necessary and which expenses were incurred.

METHODS

Of 3989 operations performed in 1989, 187 patients were found to be at an increased risk for blood loss. The costs for blood group analysis (euro 23.16), cross-testing (euro 13.91) and the transfusion itself (euro 70.35) were estimated in each patient.

RESULTS

In 1998 more than 60% of the 187 patients had undergone extensive head and neck surgery for advanced squamous cell carcinoma. Only 17 patients (<15%) received nearly 45% of all units of stored blood transfused that year. In patients who had undergone skull base surgery, the probability of receiving blood was 30%. The transfusion-related costs were estimated to be euro 20,000 during the observation period. Potential savings could have been achieved in cross-testing.

CONCLUSION

Preparations should be done on an individual basis. Such preparations are sometimes unnecessary even in patients undergoing surgical procedures with a high risk for blood loss.

Safety of the blood supply in Latin America

Appropriate selection of donors, use of sensitive screening tests, and the application of a mandatory quality assurance system are essential to maintain the safety of the blood supply. Laws, decrees, norms, and/or regulations covering most of these aspects of blood transfusion exist in 16 of the 17 countries in Latin America that are the subject of this review. In 17 countries, there is an information system that, although still incomplete (there are no official reports on adverse events and incidents), allows us to establish progress made on the status of the blood supply since 1993. Most advances originated in increased screening coverage for infectious diseases and better quality assurance. However, in 2001 to 2002, tainted blood may have caused infections in 12 of the 17 countries; no country reached the number of donors considered adequate, i.e., 5% of the population, to avoid blood shortages, or decreased significantly the number of blood banks, although larger blood banks are more efficient and take advantage of economies of scale. In those years, paid donors still existed in four countries and replacement donors made up >75% of the blood donors in another eight countries. In addition, countries did not report the number of voluntary donors who were repeat donors, i.e., the healthiest category. In spite of progress made, more improvements are needed.