BACKGROUND: Quality control (QC) of red blood cell (RBC) components is essential to ensure transfusion safety. Evaluation of hematological and biochemical parameters helps assess the adequacy of processing and modification techniques. This study aimed to evaluate the quality of leukocyte-reduced, leukocyte-depleted, and irradiated RBC units. Objectives included: (i) assessing hemoglobin content and hematocrit; (ii) quantifying residual leukocyte content; (iii) measuring percentage hemolysis and extracellular potassium content in irradiated RBCs; (iv) evaluating sterility; and (v) comparing results with national and international QC standards. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted at a tertiary care blood center from July 2024 to June 2025. Whole blood was processed using TACE II + automated extractors into leukocyte-reduced and leukocyte-depleted RBCs. Irradiation was performed using a linear accelerator. QC testing of 206 RBC units included hemoglobin content, hematocrit, residual leukocyte content, percentage hemolysis, extracellular potassium content, and sterility. RESULTS: Among 13,673 donations, 13,534 were processed into 5401 leukocyte-reduced and 8133 leukocyte-depleted RBCs. QC testing showed leukocyte-reduced RBCs with hematocrit 57.6% ± 4.7%, hemoglobin content 48.9 ± 4.6 gm, and residual leukocyte content 3.3 ± 2.1 × 108. Leukocyte-depleted units had hematocrit 59.7% ± 5.8%, hemoglobin content 49.0 ± 5.4 gm, and residual leukocyte content 2.3 ± 1.9 × 106. Irradiated units showed a percentage hemolysis of 0.93% ± 0.24% and a potassium content of 24.0 ± 6.2 mmol/L. All units were sterile. Over 90% met QC standards. CONCLUSION: RBC components prepared with automated extraction consistently complied with national and international QC benchmarks, supporting safe transfusion practice.
INTRODUCTION: Hemovigilance is a series of surveillance involving the collection and evaluation of all kinds of unwanted and unexpected effects arising from the use of blood products, including the whole transfusion chain, including the follow-up after blood collection and prevention of re-occurrence. OBJECTIVE: In this study, it is aimed to evaluate the learning effectiveness of the hemovigilance education program developed in Süleyman Demirel University Faculty of Medicine and the overall program. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was designed as a quasi-experimental pretest posttest study in quantitative research design. In the evaluation of the program, pretest and posttest prepared by the research group were applied, and feedback was received regarding the training program. RESULTS: The data of 114 participants who received hemovigilance training were evaluated in the study (n = 114). The pretest mean was calculated as 67.42 ± 12.43 (minimum: 31, maximum: 93), and the posttest mean was 86.38 ± 11.83 (minimum: 55, maximum: 100). The realization of learning was evaluated in the second step of the model. There was a statistically significant difference between the pretest and the posttest (P = 0.000). In addition to this finding, according to the generalizability theory, the item-time (pretest/posttest application) variance percentage was calculated as 32.5%. CONCLUSIONS: In the current literature, many studies are planned to be developed for the development of hemovigilance activities. It is recommended to organize in-service training programs for most of these studies. In evaluating the measurement tool with the generalizability theory, it was determined that education is effective in increasing the level of knowledge, but it is not sufficient and should be improved in the sampling of the information universe because it is an easy level and weak discrimination tool. In evaluating the first step of the program evaluation model, it was seen that the majority of the participants expressed their satisfaction with education. The realization of learning was evaluated in the second step of the model. According to the generalizability theory, there was a statistically significant difference between the pretest and the posttest and the high percentage of variance in the item-time (pretest/posttest application) showed that the learning took place. We believe that the training program within the scope of the study significantly increases the level of knowledge of the participants and contributes to learning. In addition, a more valid and reliable measurement will be provided with the development of the measurement tool, and the program will be developed to contribute to hemoviral surveillance.
OBJECTIVE: COVID-19 infection has raised concern regarding the short duration of immunity afforded by vaccines and antibodies elicited by natural infection. This aim was to examine differences in antibody titers associated with age, sex, vaccination doses, and infection in healthcare workers with previous positive quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction tests. Antibodies detection by the enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) was validated by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) to find a cost-effective antibody test. MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY: The study was carried out in 530 healthcare professionals, who were previously infected with COVID-19 infection, had received two doses of Covidshield vaccine. COVID antibody titer was performed and analyzed with different aspects of subgroups, with respect to gender, age and duration at how long COVID-19 antibodies persist in the plasma; after COVID-19 infection. The duration was seen after the first and second dose of COVID vaccine. Previously, COVID-negative participants with both doses of vaccine showed a significant level of antibodies antibody detection were carried out by ELISA and ECLIA taking latter as the gold standard. RESULTS: Maximum people who had antibodies, the duration was within 100 days after COVID-19 infection. Highest number of people showing good antibodies titer was seen between 101 and 150 days after the 1st vaccine while between 50 and 100 days after the second vaccine. Maximum antibody titer was seen after both doses of vaccination with COVID infection. Correlation between ELISA and ECLIA test and efficacy of ELISA test was calculated, taking ECLIA as the gold standard. CONCLUSION: More than 50-year age have slightly higher levels of IgG COVID-19 antibodies but gender has no effect. Duration of antibody persistence was maximum between 100 and 150 days after the first dose and 50–100 days after the second dose; hence, a booster was needed early. COVID infection increased the duration of antibodies persistence. ELISA is a cost-effective and accurate method for COVID antibody testing.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Recent studies have suggested that increasing fresh-frozen plasma (FFP) and platelet (PLT) transfusions can improve survival rates in patients requiring massive transfusions. This study evaluated the impact of different ratios of plasma and PLT to red blood cell transfusions on the mortality of severely injured trauma patients who received blood transfusions during resuscitation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective observational study was conducted in the emergency department of a trauma center from August 2017 to August 2018. Patients aged ≥18 years, having injury severity score ≥16, and who required ≥2 packed red blood cell (PRBC) unit transfusions in the first 4 h of presentation to the emergency were included. Four groups were identified based on the FFP:PRBC and PLT:PRBC ratios. The patients were grouped into only PRBC, low (<1:1), balanced (1:1), and high (>1:1) ratios. RESULTS: Eight hundred and fifty-two patients met the inclusion criteria, with a mean age of 36.1 ± 14 years. Males constituted 85.7% and 89% had blunt injuries. The 24-h mortality was higher in the low ratio (LR) group of the FFP:PRBC ratio (13.6%) and the PLT:PRBC ratio (16.1%). The overall inhospital mortality rate was higher in the high PLT: RBC ratio group (45.3%) but comparable in the LR and high FFP:PRBC ratio groups. Multivariate logistic regression showed high FFP:PRBC (odds ratio [OR] = 0.9, P < 0.0001) and PLT:PRBC (OR = 0.28, P < 0.0001) ratios reduced mortality at 24 h. CONCLUSION: High FFP:PRBC and PLT:PRBC ratios reduced 24-h mortality but not overall hospital mortality in severely injured patients who received multiple transfusions. Prospective trials are necessary for further evidence.
