2010 Volume 56 Issue 6 Pages 702-708
In May 2006, we established an examination system in our hospital for transfusion-related viral infections, such as hepatitis and HIV, according to the "Guideline for Transfusion Therapy" and "Guideline for Retrospective Survey of Blood Donors."
Briefly, follow-up testing of HBs-Ag, HBs-Ab, HBc-Ab, HCV-Ab, HCV-core-Ag and HIV-Ab is conducted on serum obtained immediately prior to transfusion, such as at the cross-match test. Post-transfusion testing of HBV-DNA, HCV-core-Ag and HIV-Ab is carried out three months after the transfusion.
A total of 576 patients received transfusions in our hospital between May 2006 and June 2009. Pre-transfusion testing was performed for 518 patients (89.9%), of whom 86 died, and 415 of the remaining 432 patients (96.1%) had post-transfusion tests. However, 58 patients (10.1%) refused both pre- and post-transfusion tests. Low implementation rate of testing was likely due to low awareness of transfusion-related viral infections on the part of doctors, nurses, patients, and patient family members. Following participation in a study session held by our division, nurses were able to educate transfusion patients about transfusion-related viral infections and the importance of pre- and post-transfusion testing. As a result, the implementation rate of pre- and post-transfusion testing increased. In addition, direct phone calls to transfused patients, their family members and/or their current doctors have contributed to improving the implementation rate of post-transfusion testing.
