Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2026
05:23
Continuous Manual Exchange Transfusion for Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: An Efficient Method to Avoid Iron Overload
Published on: March 14, 2017
Haemovigilance: an effective tool for improving transfusion practice
R R P de Vries1, J-C Faber, P F W Strengers
1Department of Immunohematology and Bloodtransfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands. rrpdevries@lumc.nl
Vox Sanguinis
|December 24, 2010
Summary
Haemovigilance systems demonstrate blood transfusions are safe, with most adverse events occurring in hospitals due to errors. These systems improve transfusion safety and can monitor other medical products.
Area of Science:
- Transfusion Medicine
- Patient Safety
- Public Health
Background:
- Haemovigilance is a critical system for monitoring blood transfusion safety.
- This review examines the evolution and future of haemovigilance in transfusion medicine.
Observation:
- Blood transfusion is relatively safe compared to pharmaceuticals, with high safety standards in Europe.
- Most serious adverse reactions and preventable errors in blood transfusions occur within hospitals.
- Certain adverse reactions, like anaphylaxis, are inherent risks of transfusion.
Findings:
- Effective haemovigilance systems identify safety improvements and validate implemented measures.
- Organizational structure of haemovigilance systems varies, but outcomes can be similar.
- International collaboration significantly enhances haemovigilance efforts.
Implications:
- Haemovigilance can extend to monitoring alternatives like cell savers and other human products (cells, tissues, organs).
- These systems can improve non-safety aspects of blood transfusion, such as appropriate use.
- The principles of haemovigilance are applicable to a broader range of medical treatments involving biological products.
Related Concept Videos
01:15Blood Transfusion
Blood transfusion is a critical medical procedure that saves lives and treats various medical conditions. It involves transferring blood from a donor to a recipient. This process requires a thorough understanding of the ABO blood group system and its associated antigens and antibodies.
Blood Transfusion Overview
A blood transfusion is a medical procedure used to replace blood lost due to injury, surgery, or to treat conditions such as anemia or cancer. During a transfusion, donor blood is...
Blood Transfusion Overview
A blood transfusion is a medical procedure used to replace blood lost due to injury, surgery, or to treat conditions such as anemia or cancer. During a transfusion, donor blood is...
02:45Blood Transfusion and Agglutination
Blood transfusion is a therapeutic measure to restore the blood volume after extensive blood loss due to an accident or a medical procedure. Blood transfusion involves drawing a certain amount of blood from a suitable donor and infusing it into the recipient.
History
The history of blood transfusion dates back to the 17th century, when early attempts were made in animals. In 1818 James Blundell, a British doctor, performed the first successful human blood transfusion. Later in 1900, Karl...
History
The history of blood transfusion dates back to the 17th century, when early attempts were made in animals. In 1818 James Blundell, a British doctor, performed the first successful human blood transfusion. Later in 1900, Karl...
01:19Pharmacovigilance
Post-marketing surveillance is a critical component of pharmaceutical regulation, often uncovering unanticipated adverse drug reactions (ADRs) once a drug is widely used over an extended period.
This process, termed pharmacovigilance, aims to detect, evaluate, and minimize harmful effects related to medication use. The data collection for pharmacovigilance depends on spontaneous reporting systems, where healthcare professionals or patients voluntarily report suspected ADRs.
In some cases, there...
This process, termed pharmacovigilance, aims to detect, evaluate, and minimize harmful effects related to medication use. The data collection for pharmacovigilance depends on spontaneous reporting systems, where healthcare professionals or patients voluntarily report suspected ADRs.
In some cases, there...
01:25Extracorporeal Removal of Drugs: Hemoperfusion and Hemofiltration
Hemoperfusion and hemofiltration are critical techniques in medical treatments to eliminate accumulated drugs, metabolites, and electrolytes from the bloodstream. These methods are particularly vital in cases of accidental poisoning and drug overdose.Hemoperfusion involves passing blood through an adsorbent material to remove unwanted substances. The main adsorbents used in hemoperfusion include activated charcoal and Amberlite resins. Activated charcoal can adsorb both polar and nonpolar...
01:22Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
Essential infection prevention measures are based on the knowledge of the infection chain, the modes of transmission in healthcare settings, and the use of the best practices in all healthcare settings. Compulsory public reporting of healthcare-associated infection rates is needed to allow individuals and the community to make informed choices regarding selecting a healthcare facility.
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
01:25Errors occurring during blood pressure monitoring
Blood pressure monitoring is a crucial clinical procedure in diagnosing and managing various cardiovascular conditions. Despite its significance, the accuracy of blood pressure measurements can be compromised by multiple factors, potentially leading to either falsely high or low readings. These inaccuracies are critical as they can significantly impact patient care. So, it is vital to understand these challenges deeply and adopt strategic approaches to minimize errors.
Several factors...
Several factors...