CAP Pro Course - Blood Bank - Transfusion Reactions

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Author: Suzanne H. Butch, MA, MLS(ASCP)CM, SBB, DLM
Reviewer: Patrick Tracy, MA, MLS(ASCP)

Continuing Education Credits

Objectives

  • Define immediate and delayed transfusion reactions and use clinical symptoms to further classify reactions.
  • Determine the actions to be taken when a transfusion reaction is suspected.
  • Identify events that must be reported to regulatory and accrediting agencies and voluntary biovigilance reporting.
  • Describe actions that may prevent transfusion reactions.

Course Outline

  • Define immediate and delayed transfusion reactions and use clinical symptoms to further classify reactions.
      • Classification of Reactions
      • Immediate vs Delayed Transfusion Reactions
      • Typical Symptoms Associated with Immediate Transfusion Reactions
      • Reactions by Blood Component
      • Common Causes of Transfusion Reactions
      • Acute Hemolytic Reactions
      • Delayed Immune Hemolysis
      • Use of Low-titer Group O and ABO Incompatible Plasma-containing Products in Trauma
      • Non-hemolytic Febrile Transfusion Reactions
      • Transfusion-associated Circulatory Overload (TACO)
      • Transfusion-related Acute Lung Injury (TRALI)
      • Allergic Reactions
      • Sepsis Due to Contaminated Unit
      • Acute Pain and Hypotensive Reactions
      • Dyspnea
      • Delayed Reactions
      • Typical Symptoms Associated with Delayed Transfusion Reactions
      • A trauma patient has been transferred to your hospital. The ABO/Rh typing results obtained on a sample recently collected at your facility are shown b...
      • A patient has a 1.5°C temperature rise during a transfusion of Platelets. Additional symptoms include vomiting and a decrease in blood pressure. ...
      • During a transfusion, the patient becomes quite agitated. The nurse checks the patient's vital signs and notes an increased blood pressure and heart r...
  • Determine the actions to be taken when a transfusion reaction is suspected.
      • Immediate Actions When a Transfusion Reaction is Suspected
      • Laboratory Testing Protocols
      • Routine Testing Required to Rule Out Hemolytic Reactions
      • Additional Testing
      • Non-Infectious Disease Delayed Transfusion Reaction Investigations
      • Transfusion-transmitted Disease Investigations
      • Frequency of Transfusion-transmitted Diseases
      • Final Report to the Patient's Medical Record
      • In addition to examining patient identification, blood unit labels, and all pre-reaction records for possible errors in patient or blood identificatio...
      • There are federal regulations concerning the process for testing and patient notification for which one of the following transfusion-related disease i...
  • Identify events that must be reported to regulatory and accrediting agencies and voluntary biovigilance reporting.
      • Reporting to Regulatory and Accrediting Agencies
      • CDC National Healthcare Safety Network, Biovigilance Component, Hemovigilance Module Surveillance Protocol
      • A patient has passed away during resuscitation. A transfusion of red cells was being administered at the time of death, but the transfusion did not co...
      • Which of the following agencies maintains a transfusion reaction reporting system to implement a national surveillance of transfusion-associated adver...
  • Describe actions that may prevent transfusion reactions.
      • Specimen Collection and Labeling
      • Reducing the Risk of Specimen Misidentification
      • Blood Component Processing: Reducing the Risk of a Reaction
      • Laboratory Testing and Component Selection
      • Procedures for Issuing Blood
      • Emergency Issue of Blood Components
      • Transfusion Procedures
      • Observing the Patient for a Reaction
      • Making Transfusions Safer
      • The lead transfusion-service technologist of a 100-bed hospital is designing a competency assessment for the emergency issue of blood. There was no em...
      • A technologist processes a type, screen, and hold specimen. Today is March 3rd. The patient has a surgical procedure scheduled on March 15th. Upon che...
  • References
      • References

Additional Information

Level of Instruction:  Intermediate
Intended Audience:  This program is designed as an educational and training tool for MLS, MT, and MLT personnel, medical laboratory science students and interns, pathology residents, and practicing pathologists. 
Author Information: Suzanne H. Butch, MA, MLS(ASCP)<sup>CM</sup>, SBB, DLM is currently working on special projects for the Department of Pathology at Michigan Medicine in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She formerly worked in Quality Assurance in the Department of Pathology and as the Administrative Manager for Healthcare, Blood Bank & Transfusion Service at the University of Michigan Hospitals and Health Centers in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She holds a bachelor's degree in Medical Technology from the University of Michigan, a master's degree in Management and Supervision from Central Michigan University, and Certifications as a Specialist in Blood Bank, as a Quality Audit, and as a Diplomate in Laboratory Medicine. 
Reviewer Information:  Patrick Tracy, MA, MLS (ASCP), has been an MLT program director since 2012. His teaching experience has been in student labs, both face-to-face and online. His contribution to medical-laboratory education is most pronounced by his microbiology, blood bank, and chemistry YouTube channel.

This course is part of the CAP Competency Assessment Hub.

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