Medisur (Feb 2015)
Implementation of a Surveillance System for Transfusion-Transmitted Infections in Cienfuegos
Abstract
Background: increasing blood transfusion safety requires a health surveillance system for this activity.Objective: to describe the actions carried out in Cienfuegos province to effectively and steadily implement a surveillance system for transfusion-transmitted infections.Methods: a descriptive and documentary study was conducted in the province of Cienfuegos. It included the actions to implement a surveillance system for transfusion-transmitted infections. Document review, interviews and self-administered surveys to experts were used.Results: new models for data collection were designed. Technologists and nurses from municipal blood collection centers, mobile units and the Provincial Blood Bank were trained. A Newsletter was distributed among the main users of the system, demonstrating its usefulness and quality to analyze and interpret the information related to the events being monitored.Conclusions: the possibility of implementing the surveillance system with some adjustments was shown, since the province has the organizational strength and resources to fully implement the surveillance system for transfusion-transmitted infections in a short time as the subsystems and pending activities are complemented.