Although application of multiple safety measures like donor screening and screening for infectious agents has made blood transfusion safer than ever, blood safety remains a hot topic in transfusion medicine. Emerging pathogens constantly threaten the safety of blood and current safety measures have their limitations in addressing these matters. Pathogen reduction technologies have been developed as a proactive approach to overcoming these limitations. This paper outlines the efficacy of pathogen reduction technologies that are currently applied for platelets for clinical use. Their clinical efficacy and safety issues and other effects are also reviewed.
Blood Safety ; Blood Transfusion ; Donor Selection ; Mass Screening ; Transfusion Medicine

BACKGROUND: Accurate patient identification is fundamental in transfusion medicine. Our hypothesis is that an open question about patients' ABO blood group would be helpful for accurate identification of the patient and for accurate laboratory testing. METHODS: We added some blanks, including the patient's ABO blood group on the tube label, which should be filled in by the phlebotomist on the spot. From Aug 1, 2012 to May 31, 2013, we analyzed the effect of the additional step for identification of a misidentification 'incident' in 31,454 tests of 14,864 patients. We surveyed on 21 phlebotomists with regard to whether the changed label reinforces patient identification. In addition, the discrepancy rate between the ABO blood group perceived by the patient and the test result was analyzed. RESULTS: Patient-misidentification error rate during this study was 0.022%, and 81.0% of the phlebotomists answered that the changed label reinforces patient identification. The total discrepancy rate was 1.93%. Patients without previous results showed a higher discrepancy rate (3.08%) than patients with previous results (0.35%). Males (2.48%) showed a higher discrepancy rate than females (1.38%). Patients older than 50 years showed a higher discrepancy rate (2.87%) than patients younger than 50 years (0.82%). According to ABO blood group, group O showed the lowest discrepancy rate (0.87%). CONCLUSION: Checking ABO blood group known by the patient helped phlebotomists to correctly identify the intended patient. Active corrective action by the transfusion laboratory when discrepancies exist could increase test reliability and pave the way for safe transfusion, which will ultimately improve the quality of transfusion medicine.
Female ; Humans ; Male ; Phlebotomy* ; Transfusion Medicine

Event reporting can provide data to study the failure points of an organization's work process. As part of the ongoing efforts to improve transfusion safety, a Medical Event Reporting System Transfusion Medicine, (MERS - TM) as designed by Kaplan et al was implemented in the Transfusion Medicine Unit of the University Malaya Medical Centre to provide a standardized means of organized data collection and analysis of transfusion errors, adverse events and near misses. An event reporting form was designed to detect, identify, classify and study the frequency and pattern of events occurring in the unit. Events detected were classified according to Eihdhoven Classification model (ECM) adopted for MERS - TM. Since our system reported all events, we called it Event Reporting System - Transfusion Medicine (ERS-TM). Data was collected and analyzed from the reporting forms for a period of five months from January 15th to June 15th 2002. The initial half of the period was a process of evaluation during which 118 events were reported, coded, analyzed and corrective measures adopted to prevent the recurrence of the same event. The latter half saw the reporting of 122 events following the adoption of corrective measures. There was a reduction in the occurrence of some events and an increase in others, which were mainly beyond the organization's control. A longer period of evaluation is necessary to identify the underlying contributory causes that can be useful to develop plans for corrective and preventive action and thereby reduce the rate of recurrence of errors through proper training and adoption of just culture.
Reporting ; Transfusion, NOS ; Medicine ; experience ; seconds

BACKGROUND: Blood transfusions are complicated procedures, and are highly sensitive to mistakes that could seriously endanger the life of patients. The failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA) can be used to inspect and improve high risk processes. Here, we aimed to identify the risk factors of a blood transfusion process and to improve its safety by optimizing the process. METHODS: We conducted a weekly meeting from March to April 2014. We investigated the frequency of events for 2013 (before FMEA) and 2015 (after FMEA). The FMEA process was performed in eight steps and the improvement priorities were determined in accordance with the magnitude of calculated fatalities (multiplied by severity, occurrence, and detection scores). RESULTS: The whole process of blood transfusion was analyzed by detailed steps: Decision of blood transfusion, blood transfusion request, pre-transfusion test, blood product discharge, delivery, and administration process. Then, we identified the types of failures and likelihood of occurrence, discovery, and severity. Based on the calculated risk priority number, strategies to improve the highest failure modes were developed. Eleven transfusion-related events occurred before FMEA, and three events occurred after FMEA. CONCLUSION: In this study, we analyzed the failure modes that may occur during a transfusion procedure. The FMEA was a useful tool for analyzing and reducing the risks associated with a blood transfusion procedure. Continuous efforts to improve the failure modes would be helpful to further improve the safety of patients undergoing blood transfusion.
Blood Transfusion ; Healthcare Failure Mode and Effect Analysis* ; Hematologic Tests ; Humans ; Patient Safety ; Risk Factors ; Transfusion Medicine*

Blood utilization review has recently been used to minimize inappropriate transfusion, reduce post transfusion infections and improve the quality of transfusion practices. Ajou University Hospital is a 906 bed tertiary care teaching institution. Since March, 1995, the concurrent review of blood transfusion requests using institutional blood transfusion criteria has been initiated. To evaluate the effectiveness of the transfusion review, the units of blood components transfused per patient(total number of units of blood components transfused/total number of patients discharged) and inappropriate transfusion ratio of blood components(total number of units of blood components inappropriately transfused/total number of units of blood components transfused) were compared during the concurrent review for 9 months and pre-concurrent review for 9 months, respectively. The possible savings of blood components realized by the review were also extrapolated. The results were as follows : 1. The unit transfused per patient for pre-review and during review were 0.675 (9,080/ 13,422) and 0.654(12,123/18,546) for packed RBC(PRBC); 0.417 (5,602/ 13,422) and 0.296 (5,444/18,546) for fresh frozen plasma(FFP); 0.372(5,007/13,422) and 0.424(7,868/18,546) for platelet con-centrates(PC), respectively. 2. The inappropriate transfusion ratio of blood components for pre-review and during review were 0.039 and 0.009 for PRBC; 0.321 and 0.064 for FFP; 0.143 and 0.008 for PC, respectively. These differences were statistically significant(p=0.000). 3. The PRBC and FFP anticipated to have been saved by this review was 519 units and 2,992 units annually, respectively. 4. However, 2,621 units of PC were used additionaly during this review due to increased number of oncology patients and better hemostatic therapy practiced during the same period. In conclusion, the concurrent review of transfusion requests was very effective tool to educate residents in clinical departments the transfusion medicine and improve utilization of blood and its components.
Blood Platelets ; Blood Transfusion* ; Concurrent Review* ; Humans ; Income ; Tertiary Healthcare ; Transfusion Medicine ; Utilization Review

BACKGROUND: Transfusion is one of the most important treatments in patient care. It has been known that there is a lack of transfusion medicine knowledge of doctors in other countries, however it has not been investigated yet in Korea. In this study, we assessed the educational need and the knowledge on transfusion medicine for trainees to provide basic raw data for future education in transfusion medicine. METHODS: Transfusion is one of the most important treatments in patient care. It has been known that there is a lack of transfusion medicine knowledge of doctors in other countries, however it has not been investigated yet in Korea. In this study, we assessed the educational need and the knowledge on transfusion medicine for trainees to provide basic raw data for future education in transfusion medicine. RESULTS: Among trainees, 89.9% said they received more than one hour of transfusion medicine education at medical schools, but 57.3% did not receive transfusion medicine education after finishing medical school. Moreover, 76.4% and 86.5% of respondents stated that additional transfusion medicine education was needed during and after medical school respectively. Among respondents, 43.5%, 53.9%, and 28.1% reported their knowledge on blood products, pretransfusion testing, and transfusion reactions as low or very low. In the assessment of knowledge of transfusion medicine, the mean percentage of correct answers was 65.2%. The rates of correct answers (average) ranged from 25.8% to 80.9% (58.2%), 49.4% to 94.4% (75.7%) 70.8% to 89.9% (80.2%) in case of blood products, pretransfusion testing, and transfusion reactions respectively. CONCLUSION: Transfusion medicine education among trainees after finishing medical school was found to be insufficient, and additional education for transfusion medicine is demanded by trainees.
Education ; Korea ; Patient Care ; Schools, Medical ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Transfusion Medicine* ; Transfusion Reaction

The main goal of transfusion medicine is safe and appropriate blood transfusion in all situations. To accomplish this, it is essential to have a high level quality management system for the entire process from blood donation to transfusion. Regulations regarding blood management have been adopted and strictly managed in Korea since 2007. Blood center's blood management tasks should establish appropriate quality management systems to ensure the safe supply of blood, as well as the basic resources of personnel, facilities and equipment in accordance with laws and regulations governed by the Ministry of Health and Welfare in Korea. The purpose of this review is to examine the contents and processes for quality control of clinical chemistry tests in Korean blood centers.
Blood Donors ; Blood Transfusion ; Chemistry, Clinical* ; Clinical Chemistry Tests* ; Humans ; Jurisprudence ; Korea ; Quality Control ; Social Control, Formal ; Transfusion Medicine

The 33rd International Congress of the ISBT was held in conjunction with the 33rd Congress of the Korean Society of Blood Transfusion (KSBT) and the 2014 Congress of the Korean Hematology Societies in Seoul. The idea to host an ISBT congress came to birth among KSBT members whilst attending the 18th Regional ISBT Congress held in Hanoi in 2007. Finally after 4 years, this idea became reality when Seoul was awarded to host the 2014 International Congress. After a short period of excitement, we soon had to realize that organising an international congress is a huge challenge with tremendous work involved! During the 3 years of preparation the ISBT headquarters and the local organising committee had several meetings that were not easy. But at the end, our concentrated and energetic discussions turned out to be most productive and made this congress a huge success. Highest appreciation again for their marvelous support goes to Peter Flanagan, ISBT President, and Judith Chapman, ISBT Executive Director. During the Korean day, three parallel sessions were held, attracting not only participants from the field of transfusion medicine but also many clinicians working in the field of hematology and transplantation. Martin Olsson, ISBT Scientific Secretary, and the local scientific committee did a great job in preparing an excellent scientific program that not only dealt with traditional topics of transfusion medicine but also hot topics like cellular therapy and clinical aspects of transfusion medicine. A total of 55 sessions were run in five tracks dealing with immunobiology of blood cells, blood safety, clinical aspects, donors & donation, and cellular therapies. 758 abstracts from 68 countries were submitted, among which 93 high quality abstracts were chosen for oral presentations and 603 for poster presentations. With 77 esteemed invited speakers presenting their cutting-edge research, all sessions were well attended and followed by lively discussions between speakers and the audience. Industry was also well presented and participants had the opportunity to exchange their experiences and take home information about the latest developments provided by the 74 exhibitors. But a congress isn't only about science! The opening ceremony started with the traditional presentation of the talking stick to the Congress President, Prof. Kyou-Sup Han. Afterwards, participants enjoyed the serenity and the flowing movements of Seoungmu, the Buddhist monk's dance, and Pungmulnori, a Korean folk music and dance tradition. All participants were greeted with a taste of Korean cuisine at the welcome reception. During the Speakers Dinner, guests had the chance to learn about the history of Korea and the Korean alphabet. The congress party, however, was the highlight of the social events. Since the congress took place in the middle of Gangnam, the southern part of Seoul, it was a must for everybody to learn dancing "Gangnam Style". Participants were invited onto stage to compete for the best dancer award and soon the stage was filled with joyously dancing participants and within seconds the party hall turned into a twilight zone. The party is over. It is time now to prepare calmly for the next stage. Hopefully ISBT Seoul 2014 will serve as a starting point to motivate many researchers working in the field of transfusion medicine and blood program to become more engaged at an international level.
Awards and Prizes ; Blood Cells ; Blood Safety ; Blood Transfusion ; Dancing ; Hematology ; Humans ; Korea ; Meals ; Music ; Parturition ; Seoul ; Tissue Donors ; Transfusion Medicine

Blood group determination in dogs is an important factor in transfusion medicine to minimize immediate or delayed adverse reactions after red blood cells transfusion in small animal clinics. Dog erythrocyte antigen (DEA) 1 is the most important blood type due to its high degree of antigenicity causing acute transfusion adverse reactions. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of DEA 1 in various dog breeds in Korea. As a result of testing 592 blood samples from more than 35 dog breeds, DEA 1 blood typing for each breed showed that 57.8% of Malteses, 63.3% of Poodles, 76.2% of Mastiff-like dogs, 72.5% of Pomeranians, 47.7% of Shih Tzus, 70.3% of mixed breeds, 60.0% of Yorkshire Terriers, and 71.4% of Beagles were DEA 1-positive. Miniature Schnauzers and Jindo breeds had a significantly high prevalence (100%) of DEA 1-positive dogs compared to that in other small breed dogs. This is the first report of immunochromatography-detected DEA 1 prevalence in various domestic dog breeds. Although additional studies need clarifying the potential blood transfusion risks in domestic breed dogs with DEA 1, the results of this study may be useful when selecting a blood donor.
Animals ; Blood Donors ; Blood Group Antigens ; Blood Grouping and Crossmatching ; Blood Transfusion ; Dogs ; Erythrocytes ; Humans ; Immunochromatography ; Korea ; Prevalence ; Transfusion Medicine ; Transfusion Reaction

All living creatures on this planet, from bacteria to human, produce sugar chains (glycans). This means that sugar chains are essential for living a life. Abundant, diverse, and highly regulated repertoire of glycans are synthesized by glycosylation process in cells. Located in proteins (N-glycans and O-glycans) and lipids (glycosphingolipids), glycans participate in many vital biological processes including molecular recognition, cell adhesion, molecular trafficking and clearance, receptor activation, and signal transduction. Histo-blood group antigens that are composed of sugar chains are expressed under the control of the Secretor, Lewis and ABO glycosyltransferases. They play important roles in microbial infections and cancers. Many of sugar chains associated with histo-blood group antigens are exploited as receptors for microorganisms. Aberrant glycosylation of proteins and lipids occurs commonly during malignant transformation and leads to the expression of tumor-associated glycans. In this review, over the scope of transfusion medicine, we discussed deep down the biologic meaning of sugar chains, through exploring how the sugar chains are synthesized, structured, and functioning.
Bacteria ; Biological Processes ; Cell Adhesion ; Glycosylation ; Glycosyltransferases ; Humans ; Planets ; Polysaccharides ; Signal Transduction ; Transfusion Medicine