BMC’s Death Review Committee submits findings of study done since 2011 on people who developed health complications or died due to such transfusions
The state government has issued a notice to all blood banks in the city for following a uniform protocol in dispensing platelets. Pic for representation
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Unwanted excessive platelet transfusion in hospitals has killed a significant number of people in the city, revealed a recent report submitted by the civic Death Review Committee. Based on the report, the state Public Health Department of Epidemic has sent a notice to all blood banks in Mumbai, directing them to follow a uniform protocol in dispensing platelets.
As per a civic official, corporation-run hospitals see at least 12 cases every year of patients getting affected due to such transfusion. The BMC, however, refused to reveal the death figures.
A copy of the notice available with mid-day states, “It has been observed by the Death Review Committee that random platelet transfusion is the most likely reason for transfusion-related injuries or immune system-based disorders, leading to the patient developing platelet antibodies and, as a result, facing complications and even death.”
In a bid to bring down such cases, the notice has also lowered the level of platelets a patient needs to have to be given a transfusion — from 20,000/cumm to 10,000/cumm. This will ensure that number required to be given to him/her is also less.
Damage control
The BMC told the committee to review deaths due to unchecked platelet transfusion since 2011 after receiving complaints on the same from hospitals.
“Blood banks are responsible for providing platelets as asked by hospitals. Now, it will be their responsibility to gather information before issuing platelets. This has been decided to keep a check on the number of platelets given to patients and any subsequent health complications,” said Dr Avinash Supe, dean of KEM hospital and director of several major hospitals, who issued the notice to blood banks. A civic official said, “For the first time, we have compiled information of the past five years on the ill affects of random transfusions.”
Notice directions
The notice has made it compulsory that during death audits of suspected dengue patients, the committee will verify the cause and maintain records. The blood bank officer and the treating physician may be contacted during the verification of patient management records, it added. It is also advises a regular documented review of transfusion practices, including platelet transfusion, in hospital transfusion committee meetings.
“The transfusion committees of hospitals have to submit the records of platelet transfusion. These will be compiled as per age, sex and number of platelets issued along with the contact numbers,” said Supe.
What are platelets?
They are cells in blood that help in formation of clots to stop bleeding. Platelets are separated from blood and given to patients via IV drips.
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