Platelet transfusion infection: risk review
SaBTO report on the risk of infection being transmitted through a platelet transfusion, and a comparison of measures to prevent it.
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The Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs (SaBTO) has looked at the risk of bacterial or viral infection being transmitted through a platelet transfusion, and the measures currently in place to prevent it. A platelet transfusion is generally used to treat, or prevent, the effects of serious blood loss.
SaBTO reviewed the clinical safety, effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of ‘pathogen inactivation systems’ for platelets which have become available, in comparison to the measures already being used.
The report details the reasons why SaBTO concluded that it does not currently recommend the introduction of pathogen inactivation of platelets for UK blood services.