Hospitals admit catalogue of errors in blood transfusions

Hospitals throughout Ireland have reportedly admitted to a catalogue of errors relating to blood transfusions last year, including one that resulted in the death of a patient.

Reports this morning said 180 “transfusion-associated adverse events” were reported by Irish hospitals in 2003.

Sixty-two of these were life-threatening or had the potential to cause permanent injury.

The figures are contained in the annual report of the National Haemovigilance Office, which collates reports of adverse events relating to blood transfusions at 81 hospitals.