BACKGROUND Between 1996 and 2005 in the UK, the Serious Hazards of Transfusion (SHOT) scheme has reported 105 deaths and 296 patients developing major morbidity due to transfusion. Accurate patient identification and monitoring of patients during blood transfusion are vital in ensuring patient safety, and national guidelines have been in place since 1999. There have been numerous initiatives in...

OBJECTIVES In paediatric cardiac surgery, red blood cell (RBC) transfusions are given to treat haemorrhage or to increase oxygen delivery (therapeutic transfusion). Sometimes, RBCs are added to the prime solution to avoid a too low haematocrit on bypass (CPB-driven transfusion). Our study investigated whether the reason for RBC transfusion might affect severe postoperative morbidity or mortalit...

Anaemia in intensive care is common, with approximately 50% of patients receiving a red cell transfusion. Recognised complications from transfusion include 'transfusion associated lung injury', infection, and organ failure progression. Most cohort studies show a positive relationship between red cell transfusion and adverse outcomes. In 2012, the British Committee for Standards in Haematology i...

To test the hypothesis that haemoglobin concentration is a poor predictor of benefit from transfusion in preterm infants, and that red cell volume is the most important indicator of anaemia, 24 preterm infants receiving red cell transfusions had red cell volume, haemoglobin concentration, and cardiac output measured before and after transfusion. Red cell volume was measured either using dilutio...

The Serious Hazards of Transfusion (SHOT) UK confidential haemovigilance reporting scheme began in 1996. Over the 16 years of reporting, the evidence gathered has prompted changes in transfusion practice from the selection and management of donors to changes in hospital practice, particularly better education and training. However, half or more reports relate to errors in the transfusion proces...

OBJECTIVE To determine the frequency and type of Acute Transfusion Reactions (ATRs) occurring in inpatients, reported to the transfusion service at Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. METHODS This was a three years and seven months (from January 2005 till July 2008) retrospective review of all the transfusion reactions that were reported to the transfusion service at Aga Khan Uni...