Haemovigilance in a general university hospital: need for a more comprehensive classification and a codification of transfusion-related events

Background and Objectives The purpose of this study was to analyse the transfusion‐related events recorded in a general university hospital. Materials and Methods The method we used was retrospective analysis of the data collected between 1999 and 2003. Results The incidence of transfusion reactions (n = 394) was 4·19 per 1000 blood products distributed: 59% (n = 231) were febrile non‐haemolytic transfusion reactions; 22% (n = 88) were caused by allergy; 5% (n = 21) were caused by bacterial infection; and 14% (n = 54) were classified as other reactions. Platelet concentrates gave rise to a significantly greater number of reactions than erythrocyte concentrates and fresh‐frozen plasma. Transfusion errors and near‐miss events were also observed and were analysed separately. A series of transfusion‐related events, such as haemosiderosis, metabolic disturbances or volume overload, were not reported. Conclusions Our experience prompts us to propose a more comprehensive classification and codification of transfusion‐related events.