Supplies of blood replaced in alert over infection

THE Blood Transfusion Service Board (BTSB) has recalled all blood products from hospitals supplied by Pelican House in Dublin following a report of bacterial infection resulting from a transfusion.

The infection, which the board believes may have resulted from a fault in a type of blood bag used only in Pelican House, was identified in a single patient who underwent a transfusion yesterday afternoon.

The patient was treated with antibiotics and was later discharged with no ill effects, according to a spokesman for the board.

Reaction to the infection which includes body spasms is immediate, the spokesman explained, adding that the board was confident that no other cases of infection had occurred before all potentially infected supplies were withdrawn.

Emergency blood supplies were being flown in last night from Scotland to replace the withdrawn stocks, as up to 40 hospitals were temporarily without reserves of approved blood products.

In a statement last night, the board said that it had received a single report of an infection, serratia septicaemia, "which may have been associated with a possible fault in a bag containing blood issued from Pelican House". All supplies associated with this type of bag were being withdrawn pending further investigation, the statement continued.

The board's spokesman emphasised that the withdrawal of stocks should not cause alarm. "The risk of infection was infinitesimally small and, because of the nature of the infection, it would be recognised instantly when it occurs", he said. "We are unaware of any other cases being reported and by now all hospitals have been notified not to use it."

However, while the board awaited the arrival of new supplies from Scotland overnight, hospitals were being told that they could use the Pelican House product in emergencies in conjunction with antibiotics.

The new supplies are expected to cover all emergencies which may arise over the weekend. However, the board is organising special donor clinics at Pelican House today and tomorrow to replenish stocks.