Challenges for the maintaining the microbiological safety of the UK blood supply

Abstract

The supply of blood, blood products and components in the UK, as elsewhere, is safe, although there is no cause for complacency. Use of blood, blood products and components is not without risk of morbidity and mortality. Transfusiontransmitted infections (TTIs) continue to occur and may severely affect the health and welfare of recipients. As indicated by recent and current inquiries, public interest in these TTIs is huge. The risk of TTI can be mitigated but not abolished. Measures to reduce risk include screening of donors, testing of donations and, where appropriate, treatment of donations. The introduction of newer screening tests might identify some infectious donations but come at a cost, which could exceed a justifiable limit. Thus, the recognition, detection, reporting and investigation of cases of possible TTIs need to be improved. Recipients of blood should understand that, although transfusion in the UK is safe, it is not free of risk and so should be provided with full information so that properly informed consent can be given.

Learning from the past rather than living in it

“…A paper in this issue by Neuberger et al summarises this and points to the need for better awareness of the often-missed clinical presentations of transfusiontransmitted viruses. 4 The manuscript also outlines the existing frameworks and strategies to ensure the safety of blood. Clinician responsibility for reporting any potential transfusion transmitted infection is key in the context of technological and societal change.…”