How Hospital Negligence Contributes to Blood Transfusion Errors
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Hospital negligence can lead to blood transfusion errors that result in injuries and even fatalities. Blood transfusion errors include: • Mislabeled blood; • The wrong patient receiving a blood transfusion; • The patient receiving the wrong blood type; • Hospital staff failing to respond to the signs and symptoms of a blood transfusion error;...
• The use of expired blood;
• Failure to transfuse blood when the situation required it or an excessive delay in blood transfusion;
• Blood not being properly screened or stored; and
• Inadequate hospital staff training.
The Dangerous Effects of Blood Transfusion Errors
When a patient receives an incompatible blood type during a transfusion, it can lead to the development of Acute Hemolytic Transfusion Reaction (AHTR). AHTR is a very serious condition in which the body attacks the red blood cells, which respond by releasing a chemical that harms kidneys. AHTR is sometimes fatal, and it is attributed to misidentifying the patient during the blood transfusion.
While the symptoms of AHTR usually occur during or immediately after the transfusion, there are also cases of Delayed Hemolytic Reactions (DHR) that bear the same characteristics as AHTR. The process occurs much more slowly – in approximately one to four weeks.
Blood-borne infections containing a virus, bacteria or parasite, are caused by improperly screened donor blood. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for ensuring the national blood supply is safe, and it requires blood banks to screen for seven types of infections. Even with these safeguards in place, patients still contract infectious diseases like Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV and sepsis.
Although blood transfusions have saved many lives since its adoption into modern medicine at the turn of the 20th century, there are inherent risks involved before, during and after the procedure.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Mike Becker
The experienced medical malpractice attorneys at The Becker Law Firm practice throughout the state of Ohio. Our lawyers represent individuals and families dealing with the emotional and financial consequences of medical malpractice, birth injury, and other catastrophic injuries caused by medical negligence.
Copyright The Becker Law Firm
More information about The Becker Law Firm
Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, it is not intended to provide legal advice as individual situations will differ and should be discussed with an expert and/or lawyer. For specific technical or legal advice on the information provided and related topics, please contact the author.
• Failure to transfuse blood when the situation required it or an excessive delay in blood transfusion;
• Blood not being properly screened or stored; and
• Inadequate hospital staff training.
The Dangerous Effects of Blood Transfusion Errors
When a patient receives an incompatible blood type during a transfusion, it can lead to the development of Acute Hemolytic Transfusion Reaction (AHTR). AHTR is a very serious condition in which the body attacks the red blood cells, which respond by releasing a chemical that harms kidneys. AHTR is sometimes fatal, and it is attributed to misidentifying the patient during the blood transfusion.
While the symptoms of AHTR usually occur during or immediately after the transfusion, there are also cases of Delayed Hemolytic Reactions (DHR) that bear the same characteristics as AHTR. The process occurs much more slowly – in approximately one to four weeks.
Blood-borne infections containing a virus, bacteria or parasite, are caused by improperly screened donor blood. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for ensuring the national blood supply is safe, and it requires blood banks to screen for seven types of infections. Even with these safeguards in place, patients still contract infectious diseases like Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV and sepsis.
Although blood transfusions have saved many lives since its adoption into modern medicine at the turn of the 20th century, there are inherent risks involved before, during and after the procedure.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Mike Becker
The experienced medical malpractice attorneys at The Becker Law Firm practice throughout the state of Ohio. Our lawyers represent individuals and families dealing with the emotional and financial consequences of medical malpractice, birth injury, and other catastrophic injuries caused by medical negligence.
Copyright The Becker Law Firm
More information about The Becker Law Firm
View all articles published by The Becker Law Firm
Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, it is not intended to provide legal advice as individual situations will differ and should be discussed with an expert and/or lawyer. For specific technical or legal advice on the information provided and related topics, please contact the author.
