I am looking for some feedback on a policy our Nursing Staff would like to implement... They would like to have Transfusion Services "work-up" an IVIG reaction as a transfusion reaction instead of an adverse drug reaction. Any feedback? or any others who have seen it done this way?

NOT a transfusion reaction. Though, sometimes those Ig products are "contaminated" with blood group abs.

If your Pharmacy Department stocks and issues the IVIG, they should be the party that is notified (not Blood Bank.) Then I'm sure the Pharmacy Dept. will follow any investigation or documentation protocol that they have.

As David Saikin said, it is not a transfusion reaction. (I wonder what your Nursing Staff wants you to look for by doing a "Transfusion Reaction Work-up", or what they expect you to find???)

Thank you for validating my thoughts...I am having a hard time explaining to them it doesn't belong in our transfusion policy and it is not a transfusion reaction.

blood bank work up si not needed.

Some time after transfusion of IVIG patient may have other passive antibody(ies) along with anti-D.

Definitely a drug reaction, not a transfusion reaction.

Ejani,

Sorry for the very late post but how can anyone tell the difference between an IVIG reaction and a hemolytic transfusion reaction based on the initial symptoms. Isn't the potential cause of the reaction decided after the transfusion reaction work-up??