Blood transfusion safety: patients at risk from human errors

Creation and validation of a checklist for blood transfusion in children

OBJECTIVE

To describe the process for creating and validating a checklist for blood transfusion in children.

METHOD

Methodological study, conducted from November 2016 to May 2017, developed in two stages. The content of the items that compose the instrument was based on scientific evidence and submitted to specialized nurses for content validation. We applied the Content Validity index, considering the value ≥ 0.80.

RESULTS

The content was considered valid with global CVI of 0.87. Suggestions for adjustments, such as deletion, replacement, and addition of terms, were included in the final version, which consisted of 14 items and 56 subitems.

CONCLUSION

The checklist for blood transfusion in children was considered a technology with valid content to be used in the transfusion performed by nurses, thus contributing to transfusion safety in children.

Transfusion monitoring: care practice analysis in a public teaching hospital

Objective

To analyze the process of recording transfusion monitoring at a public teaching hospital.

Methods

A descriptive and retrospective study with a quantitative approach, analyzing the instruments to record transfusion monitoring at a public hospital in a city in the State of Minas Gerais (MG). Data were collected on the correct completion of the instrument, time elapsed from transfusions, records of vital signs, type of blood component more frequently transfused, and hospital unit where transfusion was performed.

Results

A total of 1,012 records were analyzed, and 53.4% of them had errors in filling in the instruments, 6% of transfusions started after the recommended time, and 9.3% of patients had no vital signs registered.

Conclusion

Failures were identified in the process of recording transfusion monitoring, and they could result in more adverse events related to the administration of blood components. Planning and implementing strategies to enhance recording and to improve care delivered are challenging.