10.5 Closing TTI investigations - Investigation of suspected transfusion-transmitted infection

Each investigation must be formally closed, with a conclusion and written notification to the reporter and any other interested party. In those cases where the recipient has been discharged from hospital, agreement should be reached as to who will notify the recipient. This is normally the GP or another clinician. It must be remembered that confidentiality of donor details is paramount and no information should be released which could lead, either directly or indirectly, to identification of any donor.

In cases of proven transmission, the recipient (or family, in the case of fatal cases) should be provided with an explanation of the cause of the transmission, and should be given the opportunity of a meeting with relevant staff, in keeping with Health Service guidelines following a serious adverse event. Details of legal implications and the availability of any ex-gratia payment schemes should be provided, as appropriate.

Each case investigated must be reported to the appropriate surveillance system:

England and Wales

NHSBT/UKHSA transfusion-transmitted infection surveillance scheme

Scotland

National Microbiology Reference Unit

Northern Ireland

Northern Irish Blood Transfusion Centre

These reports are collated and published in the annual reports of the Serious Hazards of Transfusion (SHOT) scheme.