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Blood supply safety in A fghanistan: a national assessment of high‐volume facilities
Author(s) -
Mansoor G. Farooq,
Rahmani Ahmad Masoud,
Kakar M. Aziz,
Hashimy Pashtoon,
Abrahimi Parwiz,
Scott Paul T.,
Peel Sheila A.,
Rentas Francisco J.,
Todd Catherine S.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
transfusion
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.045
H-Index - 132
eISSN - 1537-2995
pISSN - 0041-1132
DOI - 10.1111/trf.12005
Subject(s) - medicine , syphilis , observational study , blood transfusion , hepatitis b , emergency medicine , family medicine , medical emergency , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , surgery
Background Little information is available regarding blood supply safety in A fghanistan. The purpose of this study was to assess blood safety through serologic and observational measures in A fghanistan. Study Design and Methods This cross‐sectional assessment included the 40 highest‐volume facilities collecting and transfusing blood nationally identified in a previous survey. At each facility, study representatives completed a standardized instrument assessing staff performance of transfusion‐related activities and performed rapid testing for human immunodeficiency virus, syphilis, and hepatitis B and C with rapid diagnostic tests on clinically discarded specimens. Reactive samples received confirmatory testing. Descriptive statistics were generated, with differences analyzed using chi‐square or F isher's exact tests. Results Between N ovember 2010 and M ay 2011, a total of 332 blood donor collection procedures were observed. Only 52.4% of observed encounters correctly screened and deferred donors by international criteria. Public and private facilities demonstrated glove use, proper sharps disposal, and patient counseling and relayed screening test results in less than 75% of observed events, significantly less likely than military facilities (p < 0.01). Of 1612 specimens assessed, confirmed cases of hepatitis B (n = 6), hepatitis C (n = 1), and syphilis (n = 3) were detected among units already prescreened and accepted for transfusion. Conclusion Lapses in proper donor screening contributed to the presence of confirmed‐positive units available for transfusion, as detected in this study. Steps must be taken to ensure standardization of testing kits requirements, documentation, and mandatory training and continuing education for blood bank staff with regard to counseling, drawing, processing, and transfusion of blood products.