Investigation of the Frequency of Reactions and Consequences of Blood Transfusion in an Academic Center Guilan-Iran

Background: Blood transfusion is a life-saving procedure, but there are always potential risks, such as blood transfusion reactions. Objectives: Considering the importance of the subject and the lack of a similar study in Guilan province, this research was conducted to analyze blood transfusion reactions. Methods: This retrospective descriptive study was conducted at Al-Zahra Hospital in Guilan, Iran, between 2020 and 2022. The files of all patients who received blood products at this center and experienced a reaction were reviewed. A checklist was completed, which included details such as the hospital ward, age, blood group, underlying disease, type of surgery, type of injected product, history of transfusion, history of reaction and allergy, type of reaction, and treatment intervention. Results: During the study period, 4,887 cases received transfusions. Among them, 18 cases (0.36%) showed reactions during transfusion, of which 14 cases (0.35% of total packed cell injections) were related to packed cell injection. Shivering was the most common reaction, occurring in 8 cases (15.38%). The main interventions included the administration of steroids in 10 cases (25%), antihistamines in 7 cases (17.5%), and oxygen therapy in 7 cases (17.5%). Three cases (7.5%) were transferred to the ICU, and in three cases (7.5%), the blood transfusion was stopped. One mortality was reported, and no cases of incompatible blood transfusion were documented. Conclusions: The incidence of reactions to blood product injections at this center appears to be acceptable. However, it was found that the information recording systems were very inefficient, and forms were incompletely filled, which should be addressed and corrected.