[The Hemovigilance Commission of the University Hospital Center]

As suggested by the National Blood Council, a Hemovigilance Committee was set up in the University Hospital of Liège in 1995. A multidisciplinary discussion takes place on any action aiming at the improvement of transfusion safety, and the follow-up of its implementation. The first issue to be discussed was the set up of a detailed documentation of all blood transfusions. The data are now recorded on a single document allowing proper identification of people and products involved, and of the eventual incidents. This document has lead to a better transfusion safety and to an improved administrative management of blood transfusion. The Commission has been coordinating two multi-centric studies analyzing the consumption of fresh blood products and the incidence of transfusion reactions. Among blood-saving policies, autologous transfusion and volume reduction of samples drawn for laboratory purposes have been discussed. Other measures were taken to improve the labeling of samples for cross-mach and to actively follow-up transfusion reactions. By its actions and advises, the Commission aims to direct strategies towards a safe and rational use of blood products.