Infection control in blood system establishments: approaches to ensuring infection safety for donors and recipients in Ukraine
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15574/SP.2025.6(150).1317Keywords:
infection control, infection prevention, healthcare-associated infections, blood systemAbstract
The national blood system is a key component of Ukraine’s healthcare system, ensuring the population’s access to safe and high-quality blood components in sufficient quantities, taking into account the risk of emergencies. Although the risk of donor infection during venipuncture is relatively low, it is important to adhere to infection prevention measures to avoid contamination through hands or equipment. Recipients are at risk of infection through transfusion of contaminated blood, which may result from violations during blood collection, screening, or storage of blood components.
Aim - to analyze the state of infection prevention and control (IPC) in the entities of Ukraine’s blood system.
Materials and methods. An online survey of 26 blood system entities was conducted in December 2021 and visits to three facilities (November 2021) were carried out to assess IPC practices. The assessment used a standard questionnaire consisting of 124 questions and including the following sections: general information about the blood system entity; administrative IPC control; blood screening and transportation; laboratory support; measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19; and quality management.
Results. Key areas for improving infection safety were identified, including the unification of the skin disinfection algorithm before venipuncture, improvement of hand hygiene, increased vaccination coverage (hepatitis B, influenza, COVID-19), staff training on IPC, simulation training on blood component traceability, analysis of the effectiveness of retrospective control systems, and donor engagement.
Conclusions. To prevent infections among donors, recipients, and medical staff, consistent implementation of infection safety measures is required at all stages - from collection and testing to storage and transfusion. The conducted analysis made it possible to identify existing gaps and determine key measures to strengthen infection safety within Ukraine’s blood system.
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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