A summary of the Transfusion Transmitted Injuries Surveillance System: 2006 - 2012

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Hematology
• Patient Safety

Background:

• The Transfusion Transmitted Injuries Surveillance System (TTISS) is a Canadian system for monitoring adverse transfusion reactions.
• Established by the Public Health Agency of Canada in partnership with provinces and territories.
• Aims to enhance patient safety in transfusion services.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize transfusion-related adverse reactions reported to the TTISS from 2006 to 2012.
• Analyze the types and frequencies of adverse events associated with blood component and product transfusions.
• Assess the impact of these reactions on patient outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Data collected from hospitals across 10 provinces and two territories.
• Adverse transfusion reactions and injuries were submitted to provincial/territorial blood coordinating offices.
• Data was consolidated, cleaned, validated, and analyzed by reaction type and outcome, with rates calculated using transfusion volumes.

Main Results:

• 3,957 adverse reactions reported (excluding minor allergic reactions).
• Blood component transfusion reactions included circulatory overload (42.5%), severe allergic reactions (14.1%), and hypotensive reactions (10.2%).
• Blood product reactions included IVIG headache (28.5%) and delayed hemolytic reactions (16.9%); transfusion-related death was rare.

Conclusions:

• Most transfusion reactions resulted in minor or no long-term effects.
• Strengthening the TTISS is crucial for monitoring adverse reactions and improving patient safety.
• Initiatives include developing recognition algorithms and improving data denominators for accurate rate calculation.