User guide for navigating resources on stepwise implementation of haemovigilance systems

Overview

WHO recognizes the importance of haemovigilance, systematic blood safety surveillance, to identify and prevent occurrence or recurrence of transfusion-related adverse events, and to increase the safety, efficacy and efficiency of blood transfusion. The WHO Action Framework to Advance Universal Access to Safe, Effective and Quality-Assured Blood Products 2020–2023 reaffirms the importance of haemovigilance as one of the strategic objectives of global efforts to improve capacity to monitor, investigate and assess adverse events in blood donors and transfusion recipients.

While national haemovigilance systems are well established in some countries, there is a lack of effective blood safety surveillance in many settings, as outlined in the WHO fact sheet on blood safety and availability. An effective haemovigilance system is an integral part of a comprehensive quality system in blood establishments and hospitals and should cover blood collection, testing, processing, storage, istribution and availability of blood and blood products, transfusion decision making, administration, and monitoring of blood transfusions. It improves quality by enhancing the ability to objectively identify, learn from, and take appropriate actions to improve suboptimal practices at local and national levels.