A PROSPECTIVE STUDY ON HEMOVIGILANCE AND BLOOD TRANSFUSION SAFETY PRACTICES – IMPACT OF CLINICAL PHARMACIST.

Abstract

AIM & BACKGROUND:Blood Transfusions are lifesaving intervention but are associated with
potential to cause adverse events. The present study is conducted to track ATR’s patterns associated with
blood and blood products and generate evidence-based recommendations and to promote optimal blood
usage.
METHODS & MATERIALS: The present study is a prospective, observational and interventional study
conducted over a period of 10 months at ESI hospital, Indiranagar. About 90 patients undergoing
transfusions were selected for the study. Forms, Case sheets, Treatment charts were used to collect the
data. Descriptive statistics & Prism graph software was used to analyse the data collected.
RESULTS:Among the 90 participants in the study51 (56.66%) were found to be females and 39
(43.33%) were males. Patients in this age range made up the most people overall.30-40 accounting for
28.8% (26) followed by the least no of patients were in the 20-30 and 70-80(7.7%) age group
respectively. Majority of Indications for blood transfusion was made for Anaemia accounting for 47.7%
(43). Whereas minimum indication was made for cardiac related cases accounting for 2 (2%). A total of
208 transfusions were done during the study period, in which PRBC’S were majorly transfused
136(65.38%) followed by Platelets 34 (16.3%). About 24 Transfusion reactions were reported in study
population, the PRBC’s 66.6% (16) contributed to the greater number of transfusion reactions in

comparison with Platelets 12.5% (03). The distribution of nature of adverse events showed Anaphylactic
reactions 06 (25%) with highest followed by DHTR 01 (4.1%) to be the lowest. About 12(50%)
transfusion reactions were of Grade 1, followed by 09(37.5%) transfusion reactions were of Grade 2, 03
(12.5%) transfusion reactions of Grade-3 & no reactions reported were of Grade4 severity respectively.
In order to manage the transfusion reaction highest cases were managed by Anti-histamines, Antipyretics,
Vasopressors followed by least caseswere managed by Antibiotics and Anti-emetic.
CONCLUSION: The active role of Clinical pharmacist in reporting transfusion reactions can help in
policy making by identifying trends. Evidence based recommendations can be generated from transfusion
reports leading to more informed decisions from the clinician’s end. Ensuring better outcomes for the
patients undergoing transfusions.