SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS RELATED TO TRANSFUSION REACTION IN A UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL IN NATAL / RN / BRAZIL

Abstract

In the context of activities related to health vigilance, the haemovigilance represents one of the strategic areas that aim directing actions to improve safety in blood transfusions. It is understood that transfusion reactions are composed by a set of signs and symptoms occurred during or after the blood transfusion and attributed to it. Because of the high frequency of transfusion that patients are submitted, it is very important to know the main risks and the proper diagnosis of complications secondary to the transfusion therapy. Recognizing the symptoms signs of a reaction may prevent irreversible complications, such as death. This study aims to identify the signs and symptoms related to transfusion reactions reported by the nursing staff. Descriptive study developed at the Haemovigilance Sector of the Onofre Lopes University Hospital, in the period from 2004 to 2006, with the data from the notification reports of transfusion reactions. The haemovigilance sector received 48 notification formularies of transfusion reactions of a total of 17545 blood transfusions. After investigation and analysis of the signs and symptoms reported, were confirmed 36 reactions, classified according to severity in Degree I - No immediate risk for life (88.8%) and Degree III - Immediate risk for life (11.2%). The more reported signs and symptoms were: Chills (35.42%); Fever (25%); Hives (18.75%); Erythema (10.42%); Dyspnea and edema (6,25%); Hypertension, headache and chest pain (4.17%); cough, vomiting and backache, (2,08%). The signs and symptoms more reported in notifications match those seen in the literature. This study has the failures of a retrospective report and it is known that the picture of transfusion reactions can range from mild and go unnoticed or even serious and take the patient immediately to death. Moreover, it is important to have a staff trained to early detect the reaction and so contribute to a reliable statistic and be able to quickly institute appropriate measures.