[Platelet transfusion and allergic transfusion reactions: experiences at Lille Hospital over a four year period]. / Transfusion de plaquettes et incidents de type allergique: expérience du CHRU de Lille sur une période de quatre ans.

Among the immediate transfusion reactions caused by the utilization of blood products, those suggesting immuno-allergic mechanisms posed problems for frequency, gravity, laboratory diagnosis and safety. We report here the Lille Hospital's experience over a four-year period concerning these manifestations after platelet concentrate transfusion. Eight hundred and fifty-two immediate transfusion reactions have been declared, of which 230 were allergic, which appeared in 181 patients (27%). Among the most frequent clinical signs, rash was often described (158 cases: 68.7%); less frequent were respiratory problems such as dyspnea (34 cases: 14.8%) and hypotensive reactions (18 cases: 7.8%). Seven patients presented severe reactions (3%). Twenty percent of them presented multiple allergic reactions and in 43.2%, the recurrence was more serious than the initial problem in spite of preventive medication; the use of washed blood components was necessary. The age of platelet concentrates does not appear to play a part in provoking these events (67% of platelet concentrates had been collected within four days). These allergic transfusion reactions posed problems for those who prescribe medication, because they are frequent, sometimes serious, can recur and at present, the proposed medication prevention is not always efficient.

[Risk management program in a health facility using a project approach: transfusion risk management]. / Un programme de gestion des risques dans l'établissement de santé à travers une démarche par projet: la gestion du risque transfusionnel.

Risk management in the hospital, which is one of the referentiels of the ANAES accreditation manual, may be considered on two levels. Firstly, risk management may be approached globally, in the same way as it is tackled in the accreditation process. Secondly, risk management may be more definite. A specific risk chosen in accordance with the priorities of a particular plan may be dealt with individually. In this respect, the tranfusion process allows the risk management method to be tested and developed. f1

[Diagnostic difficulties of transfusion incidents due to bacterial contamination: report of two cases]. / Difficultés diagnostiques des incidents transfusionnels par contamination bactérienne: à propos de deux observations.

The French hemovigilance system has recently underlined the relative frequency of transfusion-associated bacterial sepsis and the necessity to remain constantly aware of this eventuality. We describe the experience of a hematology unit over a 18-month period: 189 acute transfusion reactions were registered and bacterial cultures of the implicated cellular blood products realized in 82 of them. A positive result was obtained in two cases. For both cases, clinical symptoms of transfusion reaction were limited to a lasting fever, and a skin rash occurred in aplastic patients with preexisting signs of sepsis. The causal relationship between this contamination and the transfusion reaction is difficult to establish. Clinical manifestations justifying a bacterial inquiry must therefore be more precisely defined, particularly in multitransfused patients.

[Impact of a quality approach for transfusion safety on prescription, circuit optimization, traceability]. / Impact d'une démarche qualité en sécurité transfusionnelle sur la prescription, l'optimisation des circuits, la traçabilité. Expérience du CHRU de Lille.

The Quality Assessment Program undertaken at the Regional University Hospital of Lille benefits from previous experience making management of this project possible: continuing education, preliminary initiation into the quality approach, and existing reference systems. The aims are to master the rates of outdated and no longer efficient red cell concentrates, to control red cell concentrate delivery time, to validate the refrigeration line integrity and to ensure a flawless marking out process. The process studied is transverse, with those taking part in it belonging to several professional categories. The method will consist in a process identification, its description and characterization according to FMECA (Failure Mode Effects and Criticality Analysis), the creation of a new process and its improvement. Thus failures should be identified and classified hierachically. The corrective actions will consist in communication aids, an education program, blood product transport and blood depot reorganization, data processing improvement and medical equipment acquisition. Quality indicators are developed according to the objectives of the study, and progress indicators are developed as a periodical assessment of blood transfusion practice. This ambitious project relies on the involvement of Hospital Management and referent network. These referents facilitate the improvement processes for those taking part in this process.