These are some of the most common and life-threatening reactions; other reactions are also possible and should be pursued if the clinical picture seems inconsistent with one of these.
- The transfusion service should be notified of any severe transfusion reaction and may request samples of the transfused product and patient blood.
- The transfused product should not be discarded until discussion with the transfusion service has taken place.
- In cases of suspected AHTR due to ABO mismatch, the transfusion service must be contacted immediately because another patient may be at risk of receiving the incorrect blood product (if two products were accidentally interchanged).
- Any patient with a potentially serious reaction and/or unstable vital signs who is not currently at an acute care facility should be transferred to an acute care facility or an acute care environment at the current facility.
- Refer to UpToDate topics on transfusion reactions for further details of the evaluation and management of these conditions.
