Abstract

HAEMOVIGILANCE: A SYSTEM TO IMPROVE SAFETY IN BLOOD TRANSFUSION PROCESS

Gunjan Sharma* and Divya Sadhna Kailash Nath Kaushik

ABSTRACT

Haemovigilance is a system that governs the safety surveillance of the whole transfusion chain i.e. from the collection of blood and its components to the follow-up of recipients. It includes collection and assessment of information on emergent or inexpedient adverse events resulting from the therapeutic use of labile blood products, and to avoid their occurrence or recurrence, prioritizing the safety of the process. The issues associated with safety reporting in blood transfusion process are lack of clarity on roles and responsibilities of personnel involved, lack of tools or procedure of data collection, lack of reliable data on blood transfusion, insufficient knowledge regarding blood transfusion system, carelessness during blood transfusion procedure and absence of a central regulating structure for haemovigilance. The blood transfusion process involves more than 70 steps and each of these may be subjected to error. It is essential to establish standard protocols for the administration of blood so as to minimize the potential for errors. The cases of adverse events related to blood transfusion all over the world are increasing. The aim of haemovigilance programme must be to set standards of quality and safety for the collection, testing, processing, storage and distribution of human blood and blood components. The approach should be to produce quality, rather than controlling it. Therefore, on the regulatory aspect, it is essential to introduce and implement centralized regulatory guidance, which can assure safe and quality blood transfusion process.

Keywords: Haemovigilance, blood transfusion, issues, regulatory guidelines, standard protocols.