Recommendations for Hospital Transfusion Laboratories
| Recommendation | Action by |
|---|---|
| NEAR MISS | |
| Hospital transfusion laboratories must develop and adhere to policies for the timely clearing of satellite refrigerators, required by the Blood Safety and Quality Regulations 2005. | Hospital blood transfusion laboratories |
| DELAYED TRANSFUSION REACTIONS | |
| Investigation of a suspected DHTR should include retesting of the pre-transfusion sample (where still available) by different or more sensitive techniques. This may involve referral to a reference centre | Hospital blood transfusion laboratories |
| Automated systems or changes to indirect antiglobulin test (IAT) technology should be validated using a range of weak antibodies to ensure appropriate sensitivity | Hospital blood transfusion laboratories |
| TRANSFUSION TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS | |
| Efforts to prevent bacterial contamination of blood components should continue. These include · Continuation of diversion of the first 20-30 mL of the donation (likely to contain any organisms entering the collection needle from the venepuncture site). · Careful attention to adequate cleansing of donors’ arms. · Adherence to BCSH guidelines (1999) with regard to the visual inspection of blood components for any irregular appearance immediately prior to transfusion | Hospital blood transfusion laboratories |