Background: Blood transfusions, while life-saving, carry inherent risks. To ensure patient safety, a
robust haemovigilance system is vital. This system involves monitoring the entire transfusion process,
from donation to post-transfusion follow-up. Healthcare professionals play a crucial role in this system,
as their knowledge and timely reporting of adverse reactions are indispensable.
Aim & Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of healthcare
professionals regarding haemovigilance and blood transfusions. It also sought to assess the prevalence
and characteristics of transfusion reactions and develop strategies to improve haemovigilance practices.
Methodology: A prospective observational study was conducted at KIMS Al Shifa Hospital. A
validated questionnaire was administered to 87 healthcare professionals to assess their knowledge,
attitudes, and practices. Patients who underwent blood transfusions were monitored for adverse
reactions. Educational initiatives were developed to enhance awareness and understanding of
haemovigilance.
Results: A study of 72 patients who underwent transfusions found that 17 experienced transfusion
reactions. The most common reactions were non-haemolytic allergic, occurring in 41.2% of cases,
followed by febrile and non-haemolytic transfusion reactions (FNHTR) at 29.4%. The majority of
reactions occurred within the first 3 hours of transfusion, with a significant proportion occurring withinthe first 30 minutes. Packed red blood cells (58.8%) were the most common blood product involved in
reactions, followed by fresh frozen plasma (35.3%).
While many participants were aware of transfusion reactions, many were unfamiliar with reporting
systems in India. Despite lacking personal experience with transfusion reactions, many had not received
training on how to report them. Several challenges to reporting were identified, including difficulty in
assessing reactions, time constraints, uncertainty about reporting channels, and fear of repercussions.
Conclusion: This study underscores the importance of improving haemovigilance practices in
healthcare settings. While awareness of transfusion reactions is high, many healthcare professionals
lack knowledge of reporting systems and training on how to report reactions. This contributes to
underreporting, hindering efforts to identify and prevent transfusion reactions. To enhance
haemovigilance, education and training on haemovigilance systems are crucial.
Keywords: Haemovigilance, Adverse transfusion reactions, Febrile Non-Haemolytic Transfusion
Reactions, Educational initiatives
Publication date: 01/09/2026
https://www.ijbpas.com/pdf/2026/September/MS_IJBPAS_2026_10118.pdf
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https://doi.org/10.31032/IJBPAS/2026/15.9.10118
