Adverse events

Transfusion, while beneficial, can also present with potential risks to the patient.

Transfusion-related adverse reactions

Transfusion-related adverse reactions occur when a patient experiences an undesirable response or effect following transfusion of blood or blood products.

These are generally unpreventable physiological responses to transfused blood or blood products.

Serious adverse reactions can occur during or after a transfusion; however, they are uncommon, and many reactions are usually mild.

Fever, chills and urticaria are the most common symptoms of adverse reactions.

Potentially significant and life-threatening reactions include acute and delayed haemolytic transfusion reactions, transfusion-transmitted bacterial infection (TTBI), anaphylaxis, transfusion associated circulatory overload (TACO), and transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI).

The classification and incidence of transfusion-related adverse reactions provides an overview of the underlying mechanism and frequency of reaction.

Recognising adverse reactions is essential for a successful patient outcome. Management of suspected reactions requires a series of steps commencing with stopping the transfusion immediately.

Monitoring and reporting of adverse transfusion events are a component of haemovigilance and essential for patient safety.

Transfusion-related adverse events

Transfusion-related adverse events are unintended incidents or errors that may affect the quality or safety of blood or blood components and may expose a recipient or donor to risk of harm and possibly result in an adverse reaction.

There are various causes of transfusion-related adverse events, including patient, blood component, procedural, and equipment factors along with inappropriate concomitant use of medications or intravenous fluids.

Updated September 2026