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African Health Sciences
Makerere University Medical School
ISSN: 1680-6905 EISSN: 1680-6905
Vol. 20, No. 2, 2020, pp. 977-983
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Bioline Code: hs20070
Full paper language: English
Document type: Study
Document available free of charge
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African Health Sciences, Vol. 20, No. 2, 2020, pp. 977-983
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Improving blood transfusion safety in resource-poor countries: a case study of using leucocyte reduced blood in Uganda
Dhabangi, Aggrey; Musisi, Ezra & Kyeyune, Dorothy
Abstract
Background: The majority of blood transfusion safety strategies recommended by the WHO for resource-poor countries
focus mainly on reducing the risk of transfusion-transmitted infections (TTIs). Other technologies such as leucocyte reduction may represent complementary strategies for improving transfusion safety.
Objective: To evaluate the role of using leucocyte reduced blood in a resource-poor country.
Methods: Pre-storage leucocyte reduced (LR) red blood cells (RBCs) were specially prepared for the Tissue Oxygenation
by Transfusion in severe Anaemia and Lactic acidosis (TOTAL) study, at the Uganda Blood Transfusion Services from February 2013 through May 2015. Quality control tests were performed to evaluate the procedure, and the incremental cost of
an LR–RBC unit was estimated.
Results: A total of 608 RBCs units were leucocyte reduced. Quality control tests were performed on 55 random RBCs units.
The median (IQR) residual leucocyte count was 4 (0•5-10) WBC/uL, equivalent to 1•8x106> WBC per unit. The estimated
incremental unit cost of leucocyte reduction was $37 USD per LR RBC unit.
Conclusion: Leucocyte reduction of blood in a resource-poor country is doable although relatively costly. As such, its value
in resource-poor countries should be weighed against other transfusion safety propositions.
Keywords
Blood transfusion safety; leucocyte reduction; resource-poor countries.
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© Copyright 2020 - Dhabangi A et al.
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