Transfusion‐related adverse reactions: Data from the National Healthcare Safety Network Hemovigilance Module — United States, 2013–2018

Background Despite current blood safety measures, transfusion recipients can experience transfusion‐related adverse reactions. Monitoring these reactions can aid in understanding the effectiveness of current transfusion safety measures. Data from the National Healthcare Safety Network Hemovigilance Module were used to quantify adverse reaction risk. Methods Facilities reporting at least one month of transfused blood components and transfusion‐related adverse reactions during January 2013–December 2018 were included. Adverse reaction rates (number per 100,000 components transfused) were calculated for transfused components stratified by component type, collection, and modification methods. Results During 2013–2018, 201 facilities reported 18,308 transfusion‐related adverse reactions among 8.34 million blood components transfused (220/100,000). Adverse reactions were higher among apheresis (486/100,000) and pathogen‐reduced platelets (579/100,000) than apheresis red blood cells (197/100,000). Allergic reactions (41%) were most common. There were 23 fatalities and 9% of all adverse reactions were serious (severe, life‐threatening, or fatal). Reactions involving pulmonary complications (transfusion‐associated circulatory overload, transfusion‐related acute lung injury and transfusion‐associated dyspnea) accounted for 35% of serious reactions but 65% of fatalities. Most (76%) of the 37 transfusion‐transmitted infections were serious; none involved pathogen‐reduced components. Conclusions One in 455 blood components transfused was associated with an adverse reaction although the risk of serious reactions (1 in 6224) or transfusion‐transmitted infections (1 in 225,440) was lower. Some serious reactions identified were preventable, suggesting additional safety measures may be beneficial. Higher reaction rates identified among pathogen‐reduced platelets require further study. These findings highlight the importance of monitoring reactions through national hemovigilance to inform current safety measures and the need for strategies to increase healthcare facility participation.