Sample acceptance time criteria, electronic issue and alloimmunisation in thalassaemia

Area of Science:

• Hematology
• Transfusion Medicine
• Immunology

Background:

• Transfusion-dependent thalassemia (TDT) requires regular blood transfusions.
• Alloimmunisation is a significant risk in TDT patients, complicating transfusions.
• Optimizing laboratory and transfusion protocols is crucial for patient safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the safety of a 1-week laboratory acceptance criteria for blood sample receipt to transfusion commencement in TDT patients.
• To assess the safety of electronic blood component issue in TDT patients.
• To determine the rate of alloimmunisation under these specific transfusion protocols.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective audit of alloimmunisation data from 1999-2012.
• Analysis of blood transfusion records for registered TDT patients at a central London thalassemia center.
• Inclusion of patients with a 1-week laboratory turnaround time and electronic issue protocol.

Main Results:

• Out of 105 TDT patients, 10 (9.5%) were alloimmunised.
• Only two patients developed new antibodies at the center during the study period.
• The prevalence of alloantibody formation was 2% in transfused patients at the center.

Conclusions:

• A 1-week interval for laboratory processing and electronic issue of blood components is safe for TDT patients.
• The observed alloimmunisation rate is comparable to or lower than other reported series.
• These protocols appear acceptable for managing transfusion safety in TDT.