Haemovigilance

Haemovigilance is required to identify and prevent occurrence or recurrence of transfusion related unwanted events to increase the safety, efficacy and efficiency of blood transfusion, covering all activities of the transfusion chain from donor to recipient.

The system should include monitoring, identification, reporting, investigation and analysis of adverse events near-misses and reactions related to both the manufacturing and transfusion of any blood component.

The Serious Hazards of Transfusion (SHOT) scheme is a UK-wide, independent, professionally led haemovigilance system focused on learning from adverse events. SHOT was established in 1996 as a confidential reporting system for significant transfusion-related events, building an evidence base to support blood safety policy decisions, clinical guidelines, clinician education, and improvements in transfusion practice.

A serious adverse reaction (SAR) is: an unintended response in a donor or in a patient that is associated with the collection, or transfusion of blood or blood components that is fatal, life-threatening, disabling or incapacitating or which results in or prolongs hospitalisation or morbidity’

A serious adverse event (SAE) is: any untoward occurrence associated with the collection, testing, processing, storage and distribution, of blood or blood components that might lead to death or life-threatening, disabling or incapacitating conditions for patients or which results in, or prolongs, hospitalisation or morbidity.

Investigation of suspected Transfusion Reaction

If a suspected Transfusion Reaction is apparent, STOP the transfusion immediately and refer to the Transfusion Guidelines (Pathology Homepage via BHFNT intranet or TAD Website) and the Transfusion Nursing Procedure (or via SharePoint: BHNFT Homepage –> Departments –> CBU3 –> Blood Products –>Shared Documents –> Blood Transfusion nursing procedure)