Reactions in 1400 consecutive blood transfusions at the UE Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Hospital

ABSTRACT

Eighty-three instances of transfusion reactions occurred in 1400 transfusions at the UE RM Memorial Hospital of blood prepared only by its own blood bank. The over-all incidence of 5.9 compares favorably with reported figures abroad of 3.5 to 5.5. Two-thirds of these reactions and 3.92 of all transfusions were febrile while almost the remaining one-third or 1.78 of all transfusions were of allergic nature. One case each of malaria, shock and pulmonary edema were among the miscellaneous reactions. Bacteriologic cultures were positive in 8 of 90 bottles cultured at random, and in only 2 of 8 was there an accompanying reaction. One had a transient febrile reaction (staphylococcus, coagulase negative) and the other had a possible but unproven bacteremia. No instance of hemolytic reaction was detected. (Summary)