Report highlights mistakes in transfusions

A health report launched this afternoon shows there were 144 cases where mistakes were made with blood transfusions in 2001.

The National Haemovigilance Office's annual report shows that nearly 150 cases of blood transfusions were categorised as adverse incidents.

But director of the NHO, Doctor Emer Lawlor, says the report's recommendations will help eliminate what's going wrong.

She says that 48% of the 144 adverse cases were situations where an incorrect blood transfusion was given.

It is now hoped that the report will help alleviate mistakes with blood transfusions and improve services.