SILVA BALLESTER, Hilda M et al. Hemovigilance of adverse reactions to blood donation. []. , 29, 2, pp. 154-162. ISSN 0864-0289.

Introduction: from January 2003 to December 2011 a program of hemovigilance was developed to increase the safety of transfusion in the province of Matanzas. Objective: to analyze the effects of this program on the adverse reactions of blood donors. Methods: adverse reactions to blood donation were identified in 2002 prior to the introduction of the program. The donation service was improved with the revision of procedures and standard practice; epidemiological and geographic data was included in the donor's selection process. From 2003 on, the adverse reactions to donations were notified using a form specially designed; causes were analyzed and prevention and corrective actions were taken. Other proceedings were applied to prevent negative reactions at donation and to improve the quality of blood collection, such as training and advice to donors. A quick alert system was set up to detect and to correct the risks related to donation and the quality of the collection. Results: there was a decrease on the donor's reaction rate from 10, 1 out of 1 000 donations in 2002 to 1,4 out of 1000 in 2011. Severe adverse reactions were eliminated and moderate reactions were minimized. The most frequent was the vasovagal reaction. Conclusions: hemovigilance is an effective tool to increase donors' safety and to improve the quality of blood collection and it can be implemented with scarce resources.

: Hemovigilance; transfusion safety; adverse reaction to blood donation.