M.A. University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Humanities (Journalism and Media Studies), 2012 / South Africa obtained a new constitution in 1994 that enshrined the right to sexual orientation, race and gender equality, as well as – crucially – ensuring the “freedom of the press and other media”. However, consequent national debates appear to indicate that the country is still grappling with issues of sexual orientation and of sexual practices. It is against the complexity of this background that this research examines – through a focus on reported conflict over South Africa’s blood transfusion service – how certain debates and controversies around issues of race and sexual orientation arose and played out in the media. The editorials and opinion pieces of both The Star and The Citizen newspapers were more than mere platforms for debates to unfold upon. While both publications did undoubtedly provide a seemingly neutral platform for the two controversies to play themselves out, which included ample input from their readers, both publications from their editorial position intervened in a wide range of editorials, opinion pieces, commentaries and one cartoon. Thus, in fact, they played a powerful role in the curating manipulation of the debates.

No presente foi avaliado a atividade antimicrobiana de duas técnicas de antissepsia cutânea utilizadas rotineiramente em doadores de sangue em um serviço de Hemoterapia na cidade de Ribeirão Preto. Esse estudo teve como objetivo principal, estabelecer e comparar o percentual de redução microbiana em 50 doadores de sangue antes e após a aplicação de duas técnicas de antissepsia cutânea. Em cada braço do doador foi aplicado uma técnica de antissepsia, na primeira técnica utilizou-se o Polivinilpirrolidona-iodo (PVPI) degermante a 10% em movimentos de descida e subida por 30 segundos combinado com o PVPI a 10% em movimento circular único do centro para a periferia aplicados 30 segundos antes da punção venosa. Na segunda técnica foi utilizada solução de digluconato de clorexidina alcoólica a 0,5% em movimentos de descida e subida por 30 segundos e esperado secar por mais 30 segundos para a posterior punção venosa. Foram coletados swabs cutâneos no local da punção antes e após a aplicação de ambas as técnicas de antissepsia. Os swabs foram semeados em meio de cultura Ágar Sangue, Ágar Manitol Salgado e Ágar Mac Conkey e colocados em estufa à 37ºC por um período de 48 horas. Após esse período, foi realizada a contagem das colônias que cresceram nos meios de cultura. A técnica com PVPI a 10% obteve um percentual médio de redução microbiana de 98,57% no meio de cultura Ágar Sangue, 98,87% no meio de cultura Ágar Manitol Salgado e 100% no meio Mac Conkey. Já a técnica com clorexidina a 0,5% obteve percentual médio de redução microbiana de 94,38% no meio de cultura Ágar Sangue, 95,06% no meio Ágar Manitol Salgado e 100% no meio de cultura Mac Conkey. As análises estatísticas evidenciam que a técnica com PVPI a 10% obteve maior redução microbiana, sendo considerada, no presente estudo, mais eficaz que a Técnica com clorexidina a 0,5%. / In this study were evaluated the antimicrobial activity of two technique of skin antisepsis routinely used in blood donors in a transfusion service in the city of Ribeirão Preto. This study had as main objective, to determine and compare the percentage of bacterial reduction in 50 blood donors before and after application of two methods of skin antisepsis. In each arm of the donor was applied a technique of antisepsis, the first technique used the Polyvinylpyrrolidone-iodine (PVPI) degermant 10% in ascending and descending movements for 30 seconds combined with PVPI alcohol 10% in one circular motion from center to periphery applied 30 seconds prior to venipuncture. The second technique was used chlorhexidine gluconate solution 0.5% alcohol in ascending and descending movements for 30 seconds and waited for another 30 seconds to dry for later venipuncture. Skin swabs were collected at the puncture site before and after application of both techniques of antisepsis. The swabs were seeded in culture Blood Agar, Mannitol Salt Agar and MacConkey agar and placed in an oven at 37°C for a period of 48 hours. After this period, counts were performed in the colonies that grew in culture. The technique with PVPI 10% had an average rate of microbial reduction of 98.57% in the culture medium Blood Agar, 98.87% in the culture medium Mannitol Salt Agar and 100% in Mac Conkey medium. Since the technique with chlorhexidine 0.5% Total average percentage of bacterial reduction of 94.38% in the culture medium Blood Agar, 95.06% in the middle Salt Mannitol Agar and 100% in Mac Conkey medium. Statistical analysis showed that the technique with PVPI 10% was greater than bacterial reduction being considered in the present study, the most effective technique with chlorhexidine 0.5%.

Objetivos: Transfusão de sangue é fundamental para a sobrevida de pacientes selecionados, porém é associada a complicações. A literatura é controversa em relação aos efeitos pulmonares, hemodinâmicos e inflamatórios da transfusão de glóbulos vermelhos (GV). Este estudo teve dois objetivos principais: 1- validar um modelo de transfusão homologa de GV estocados em suínos com hipovolemia aguda por hemorragia controlada; 2- avaliar os efeitos agudos da transfusão de GV nas trocas gasosas, mecânica respiratória, hemodinâmica e na resposta inflamatória pulmonar e sistêmica. Métodos: Este estudo foi dividido em duas etapas: 1.Coleta, processamento e estocagem por 14 dias de GV provenientes de um suino Agroceres®, avaliado antes (in vitro) e após (in vivo - marcação com cromato de sódio radioativo) à sua transfusão em suínos sadios , um autólogo e quatro homologos (n=cinco); 2. Outro grupo de suínos foi submetido à hemorragia aguda controlada (25% de sua volemia) e então dividido em dois grupos: grupo transfusão (n= oito) recebeu duas unidades de GV e solução de ringer lactato (RL) para restabelecer a volemia; grupo controle (n=oito) que recebeu somente RL. Ambos os grupos foram seguidos até 6horas após o final da ressuscitação volêmica. Dados hemodinâmicos e respiratórios foram coletados a cada hora após o inicio do estudo. Mediadores inflamatórios e expressão de RNAmensageiro(RNAm) foram medidos no plasma e no tecido pulmonar. Resultados: Houve recuperação de 97,5%±19% dos GV marcados com cromato de sódio radioativo 24 horas após a transfusão. Houve aumento significativo da saturação venosa mista, conteúdo arterial de oxigênio e dos níveis de hemoglobina e hematócrito no grupo transfundido comparado ao controle. Os parâmetros medidos para a avaliação da microcirculação e as trocas gasosas foram similares em ambos os grupos. Observou-se um aumento significativo na energia gasta na histerese pulmonar no grupo controle quando comparado ao grupo transfundido (p=0,002), bem como uma tendência á diminuição da energia inspiratória no grupo transfusão. As concentrações plasmáticas das diversas citocinas avaliadas antes e após a transfusão de GV mostraram-se abaixo dos limites de detecção do teste ELISA na maioria dos animais estudados em ambos os grupos; não houve diferença significativa nas concentrações de nitrato no plasma e no tecido pulmonar. Observou-se uma diferença discreta, porem estatisticamente significativa, entre os grupos na quantificação do RNAm da oxido nítrico sintetase induzida (iNOS) e da IL-21 no tecido pulmonar (aumento de 50% na iNOS e decréscimo de 50% na IL-21 no grupo transfundido comparado com o controle). Conclusão: Demonstramos a viabilidade \"in vitro\" e \"in vivo\" de GV suínos, estocados por até 14 dias. A transfusão de GV homólogos não causou alterações significativas na hemodinâmica, função pulmonar e resposta inflamatória nas primeiras 6 horas após a transfusão / Objectives: Blood transfusion is critical to the survival of selected patients, but may be associated with complications. Previous data related to pulmonary, hemodynamic and inflammatory effects of red blood cells (RBC) are still controversial. This study has two main objectives: 1- Validate a homologous stored red blood cell transfusion model in swine with acute hypovolemia by controlled bleeding; 2- Assess the acute effects of RBC transfusion on gas exchange, respiratory mechanics and hemodynamics, pulmonary and systemic inflammatory response. Methods: This study was divided into two phases: 1. Collection, processing and storing RBC from Agroceres® swines for 14 days and evaluation before (in vitro) and after (in vivo - labelling with radioactive sodium chromate) transfusion in one autologous and four homologous healthy swines (n = five); 2. Controlled acute hemorrhage (25% of blood volume) of sixteen pigs and then allocation in two groups: transfusion group (n = eight) received two units of RBC and Lactaded Ringer\'s solution (RL) to restore blood volume; control group (n = eight) that received only LR. Both groups were followed up to 6 hours after the end of resuscitation. Hemodynamic and respiratory data were collected hourly after the start of the study. Inflammatory mediators and messenger RNA(mRNA) expression were measured in plasma and lung tissue. Results: The 24-hour recovery of RBC labeled with radioactive sodium chromate was 97.5% ± 19%. We found significant increase of mixed venous oxygen saturation, oxygen arterial content, and hemoglobin and hematocrit levels in the transfused group compared to control. There were no significant differences between the two groups in microcirculation and gas exchange. There was a significant increase in the energy spent in lung hysteresis in the control group compared to the transfused group (p=0,002), as well as a tendency to decrease inspiratory energy in the transfusion group. The concentrations of the various cytokines evaluated before and after RBC transfusions were below the ELISA detection limit in most animals studied; there were no significative difference in nitrate concentrations in plasma and lung tissue. There was a statistically significant difference between groups in the quantification of mRNA induced nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and IL-21 in lung tissue (increase in iNOS 50% and 50% decrease in IL-21 in the transfused group as compared to control). Conclusion: We demonstrated in this study the viability of 14-days stored swines RBC \"in vitro\" and \"in vivo\". Homologous stored red blood cell transfusion in swine did not cause significant hemodynamic changes in the pulmonary function and inflammatory response within the first six hours after transfusion

Introdução: As transfusões de sangue e as Reações transfusionais (RT) têm tido grande destaque nas discussões e estudos da hemoterapia atual, devido a necessidade e relevância para a prática transfusional e na busca em qualificar as transfusões e refinar a classificação das RT. As reações transfusionais febris não hemolíticas (RTFNH) apresentam um crescente no número de notificações e despertam a necessidade de mais estudos. Durante a estocagem dos hemocomponentes, ocorrem uma série de alterações morfológicas, aumento de potássio (K+) extracelular, hemólise e aumento de hemoglobina (Hb) sobrenadante. Analisar a qualidade e viabilidade do hemocomponente pode nos levar a verificar os fatores preditores de uma RT, procurando minimizar os riscos e selecionar um hemocomponente de melhor qualidade ao paciente. Objetivos: Avaliar potenciais fatores etiológicos na precipitação das RTFNH por meio da mensuração na concentração de sódio (Na+) e K+ no sobrenadante, a contagem leucocitária por mcL, o cultural e o Hematócrito (Ht) e Hb da bolsa de concentrado de hemácias (CH) envolvidas, comparando estes parâmetros em relação a um grupo controle de bolsas de CH. Analisar e comparar o perfil dos pacientes envolvidos com a RTFNH e do grupo controle e, estimar a frequência de culturais coletados positivos e os germes envolvidos. Metodologia: Estudo de caso-controle com seleção de amostras a partir de notificações de suspeita de RTFNH ao Serviço de Hemoterapia de um Hospital Universitário de Porto Alegre - RS, no período de setembro de 2015 a setembro de 2016. O grupo controle foi selecionado a partir da mesma população de bolsas, sendo pareadas por tipagem sanguínea e data de vencimento do hemocomponente, numa proporção de 1:2,1. Resultados: o total incluído foi de 124 bolsas, sendo 39(30,5%) do grupo RT e 85(69,5%) do grupo controle, onde uma série de variáveis foram avaliadas. A média de dias de estocagem das bolsas foi de 10,7(DP=6,7) dias, sendo que no grupo RT 12,1(DP=8,1), foi significativamente maior que no grupo controle 10(DP=5,8) com (P=0,037). Também quando avaliamos as dosagens de Ht as médias verificadas foram de 68,3(DP=7,27), sendo no grupo RT 71(DP=81) e 67(DP=6,5) no grupo controle e, na comparação dos grupos, observamos um P<0,001. Dessa forma, a cada dia a mais de estocagem e, a cada ponto a mais no HT da bolsa, há um aumento na chance de aparecimento de RTFNH. Conclusões: a lesão de estocagem é uma temática importante no momento da oferta de hemocomponentes ao paciente, principalmente aos pacientes em tratamento oncológico de tumores sólidos. A avaliação do HT e do tempo de estocagem da bolsa demonstraram ter relevância estatística e clínica na predição de aparecimento de RTFNH. O manejo de estoque adequado para poder haver essa oferta se faz necessário. Novos estudos serão necessários para verificarmos os mecanismos desencadeantes da RTFNH comparado com o Ht da bolsa e, também estudos relacionados à utilização de pré medicação nas transfusões. / Introduction: Blood transfusions and the transfusion reactions (TR) have had great emphasis in current hemotherapy discussions and studies, due to its importance in transfusion practice and with the aim of qualifying the transfusions and refining TR classifications. The non-hemolytic febrile transfusion reaction (NHFTR) show an increasing number of notifications and arouse the necessity for further studies. During the storage of blood products a series of morphologic alterations occur, such as extracellular potassium (K+) increase, hemolysis and supernatant Hemoglobin (Hb) increase. Analyzing the blood product quality and availability may lead us to verifying predictive factors of a TR, seeking to minimize the risks and select a blood product of a superior quality for the patient. Objective: Evaluate potential etiological factors in the NHFTR precipitation through sodium (Na+) concentration measurement and K+ in the supernatant, the leukocyte count by mcL, the cultural and the Hematocrit (Ht),and Hb of erythrocyte concentrate bag (EC) involved, comparing those parameters in relation to a control group of EC blood bags. Analyze and compare the profile of the patients involved with a NHFTR to the control group and estimate the frequency of positive cultures collected and the germs involved. Methodology: Case-control study with sampling selections from a notification of NHFTR suspicion at a Hemotherapy Service in a College Hospital in Porto Alegre, RS, during the period from September 2015 to September 2016, where the control-group was selected from the same blood bag population, being grouped by blood type and blood product expiry date, in proportion 1:2.1. Results: Were studied 124 blood bags, being 39(39,5%) from the TR group and 85(69,5%) from the control group, where a series of invariables were evaluated. The mean of blood bag storage was 8.5 days, 10,7(PD=6,7) in the TR group and 10(DP=5,8) in the control group, and when compared they showed a P=0.037. Moreover, when we analyzed the Ht dosage, it was verified an mean of 68,3(DP=7,27), in the TR group and 71(DP=81), 67(DP=6,5) in the control group and, comparing both groups, we observed a P=<0.001. Therefore, with each additional storage day and, with each additional point in the Ht bool bag, the chance of NHFTR appearance increases. Conclusions: Storage injury is an important topic at the moment of the offer of blood components to the patient, especially to the ones with ongoing oncological treatments for solid tumors. The HT evaluation and the storage time of the blood bag demonstrate clinical and statistical relevance in the prediction of NHFTR appearance. The management of adequate storage is fundamental for the offer’s availability. Further studies are needed to verify the triggering mechanisms of NHFTR compared to the Ht of the bag, as well as studies associated with the use of premedication in transfusions.

Objetivos: Transfusão de sangue é fundamental para a sobrevida de pacientes selecionados, porém é associada a complicações. A literatura é controversa em relação aos efeitos pulmonares, hemodinâmicos e inflamatórios da transfusão de glóbulos vermelhos (GV). Este estudo teve dois objetivos principais: 1- validar um modelo de transfusão homologa de GV estocados em suínos com hipovolemia aguda por hemorragia controlada; 2- avaliar os efeitos agudos da transfusão de GV nas trocas gasosas, mecânica respiratória, hemodinâmica e na resposta inflamatória pulmonar e sistêmica. Métodos: Este estudo foi dividido em duas etapas: 1.Coleta, processamento e estocagem por 14 dias de GV provenientes de um suino Agroceres®, avaliado antes (in vitro) e após (in vivo - marcação com cromato de sódio radioativo) à sua transfusão em suínos sadios , um autólogo e quatro homologos (n=cinco); 2. Outro grupo de suínos foi submetido à hemorragia aguda controlada (25% de sua volemia) e então dividido em dois grupos: grupo transfusão (n= oito) recebeu duas unidades de GV e solução de ringer lactato (RL) para restabelecer a volemia; grupo controle (n=oito) que recebeu somente RL. Ambos os grupos foram seguidos até 6horas após o final da ressuscitação volêmica. Dados hemodinâmicos e respiratórios foram coletados a cada hora após o inicio do estudo. Mediadores inflamatórios e expressão de RNAmensageiro(RNAm) foram medidos no plasma e no tecido pulmonar. Resultados: Houve recuperação de 97,5%±19% dos GV marcados com cromato de sódio radioativo 24 horas após a transfusão. Houve aumento significativo da saturação venosa mista, conteúdo arterial de oxigênio e dos níveis de hemoglobina e hematócrito no grupo transfundido comparado ao controle. Os parâmetros medidos para a avaliação da microcirculação e as trocas gasosas foram similares em ambos os grupos. Observou-se um aumento significativo na energia gasta na histerese pulmonar no grupo controle quando comparado ao grupo transfundido (p=0,002), bem como uma tendência á diminuição da energia inspiratória no grupo transfusão. As concentrações plasmáticas das diversas citocinas avaliadas antes e após a transfusão de GV mostraram-se abaixo dos limites de detecção do teste ELISA na maioria dos animais estudados em ambos os grupos; não houve diferença significativa nas concentrações de nitrato no plasma e no tecido pulmonar. Observou-se uma diferença discreta, porem estatisticamente significativa, entre os grupos na quantificação do RNAm da oxido nítrico sintetase induzida (iNOS) e da IL-21 no tecido pulmonar (aumento de 50% na iNOS e decréscimo de 50% na IL-21 no grupo transfundido comparado com o controle). Conclusão: Demonstramos a viabilidade \"in vitro\" e \"in vivo\" de GV suínos, estocados por até 14 dias. A transfusão de GV homólogos não causou alterações significativas na hemodinâmica, função pulmonar e resposta inflamatória nas primeiras 6 horas após a transfusão / Objectives: Blood transfusion is critical to the survival of selected patients, but may be associated with complications. Previous data related to pulmonary, hemodynamic and inflammatory effects of red blood cells (RBC) are still controversial. This study has two main objectives: 1- Validate a homologous stored red blood cell transfusion model in swine with acute hypovolemia by controlled bleeding; 2- Assess the acute effects of RBC transfusion on gas exchange, respiratory mechanics and hemodynamics, pulmonary and systemic inflammatory response. Methods: This study was divided into two phases: 1. Collection, processing and storing RBC from Agroceres® swines for 14 days and evaluation before (in vitro) and after (in vivo - labelling with radioactive sodium chromate) transfusion in one autologous and four homologous healthy swines (n = five); 2. Controlled acute hemorrhage (25% of blood volume) of sixteen pigs and then allocation in two groups: transfusion group (n = eight) received two units of RBC and Lactaded Ringer\'s solution (RL) to restore blood volume; control group (n = eight) that received only LR. Both groups were followed up to 6 hours after the end of resuscitation. Hemodynamic and respiratory data were collected hourly after the start of the study. Inflammatory mediators and messenger RNA(mRNA) expression were measured in plasma and lung tissue. Results: The 24-hour recovery of RBC labeled with radioactive sodium chromate was 97.5% ± 19%. We found significant increase of mixed venous oxygen saturation, oxygen arterial content, and hemoglobin and hematocrit levels in the transfused group compared to control. There were no significant differences between the two groups in microcirculation and gas exchange. There was a significant increase in the energy spent in lung hysteresis in the control group compared to the transfused group (p=0,002), as well as a tendency to decrease inspiratory energy in the transfusion group. The concentrations of the various cytokines evaluated before and after RBC transfusions were below the ELISA detection limit in most animals studied; there were no significative difference in nitrate concentrations in plasma and lung tissue. There was a statistically significant difference between groups in the quantification of mRNA induced nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and IL-21 in lung tissue (increase in iNOS 50% and 50% decrease in IL-21 in the transfused group as compared to control). Conclusion: We demonstrated in this study the viability of 14-days stored swines RBC \"in vitro\" and \"in vivo\". Homologous stored red blood cell transfusion in swine did not cause significant hemodynamic changes in the pulmonary function and inflammatory response within the first six hours after transfusion

Thesis (MPH.) -- University of Limpopo, 2012 / The objectives of the study: To determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices of black employees of The University of Limpopo (Turfloop campus) about blood donation. To determine the degree of willingness by blacks to donate as well as suggesting some solutions to improve the performance by the South African National Blood Services. Design: A descriptive study utilizing a self-reported questionnaire was carried out. Setting: The University of Limpopo Turfloop Campus in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. Material and Methods: A total of 138 employees participated in the study. With the aid of Predictive Analytics Software (PASW), 136 male and 101 female participants were randomly selected from the 40 University departments. The mean ages by gender was 36.91, ±10, 06 years for males, and 41.93, ±9, 35 years for females. The mean ages by donor status was 40.24, ±10, 15 years for donors and 37.94, ±9, 9 years for non-donors. Outcome measures: Subjects demographic variables were determined by the use of a pre-tested self-reported questionnaire, which covered personal characteristics such as gender, age, residence, number of household members, marital status, educational background, faculty or department of vi employment, as well as the monthly income bracket. Knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding blood donation were also assessed using the pre-tested self-developed questionnaire. The following information was included: previous practices, current and lifetime practices of blood donation. Results: There was a general lack of practice of blood donation despite the presence of average knowledge relating to matters of blood donation amongst the black employees of the University of Limpopo, (Turfloop campus). There was no difference between black females and males as far as blood donation was concerned. There was a reflection of similar practices of blood donation by both genders. Blood donation generally started at a very late age due to early lack of exposure, information and awareness. Conclusion: Findings from this study showed that the prevalence of non-donors amongst the blacks is high. The attitudes and practices of non-donors towards donation were generally less favourable, but it can be argued that a high percentage of these findings may likely change with the right interventions.

Most of the blood transfusion facilities had adequate space, but lacked some of the basic equipment. Blood collected in these facilities was not adequate to meet the blood needs of the regions. These facilities lacked specialised personnel and some of those practicing blood transfusion were not conversant with blood groups, transfusion reactions and the measures to be taken if a reaction occurs. The findings of this study will be used to strengthen blood transfusion services in these hard to reach regions.

Introduction: During cardiac surgery aided by cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) the autotransfusion of pericardial suction blood (PSB) is regarded mandatory to limit allogeneic blood exposure. PSB is however proposed as a source of lipid microemboli and to contribute to brain damage. This thesis addresses the logistics of allogeneic blood transfusion during coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), the embolic potential of reinfused PSB, and means to reduce PSB fat contamination, investigated both clinically and experimentally. Methods: Study I) Patients undergoing CABG surgery (n=2469) were included in a database study. The magnitude of surgical bleeding versus blood transfusion was analyzed to extract a subgroup of patients (n=982) in whom transfusions were independent from bleeding. Study II) PSB and venous-blood samples were collected from patients undergoing routine CABG (n=20). The in vitro capillary-flow properties of blood subcomponents and the effects of routine screen filtration were tested. PSB fat contamination was evaluated by imprint microscopy. Study III) Heat extracted liquid human fat or soya oil were mixed with mediastinal drain blood (n=20) and incubated in a temperature controlled column, to evaluate spontaneous density separation of fat. Study IV) The findings from study-III were applied to develop a fat-reducing system (FRS) using two stacked compartments. The FRS was experimentally tested (n=12), with similar methods as in study-III, and clinically evaluated (n=10). A single-chamber blood bag (n=10) served as reference. Results: Study I) A surgical bleeding of less than 400 mL showed no correlation to blood transfusion, although 64 of 982 patients still received allogeneic blood. The strongest predictors for this kind of transfusion were; female gender, weight ≤70 kg, CPB time ≥90 minutes, CPB temperature ≤32 ºC, and advanced age (P&lt;.001 - .038). Study II) The capillary-flow profile of PSB plasma was highly impaired compared to venous plasma (P&lt;.001). Conversely, blood-cell components showed no difference between PSB and venous blood. Routine screen filtration showed no ameliorating effect on capillary-flow resistance. Fat debris was detected on imprints in all PSB samples in contrast to venous plasma (P&lt;.05). Study III) After 10-min of incubation had 77% of added soya oil separated and found contained in the top 20% fraction of blood (P&lt;.001), aimed to be discarded. The density separation of human fat was less efficient compared to soya oil (P=.011). Fat also adsorbed to surface which was more pronounced at low temperature (P&lt;.001). The overall reduction of human fat was 70%. Study IV) PSB contained 1.5 mL fat suspended in 418 mL PSB. Of this fat was 24% surface-bound. Experimental analysis of the proposed FRS revealed an 83% fat-reduction which was clinically confirmed, suggesting 80% reduction (P=.001). The FRS also gave a small but significant erythrocyte-concentrating effect. Conclusions: Transfusion of allogeneic blood during CABG surgery appeared associated with an institutional, individual, and technical bias of an anticipated need and not only used to compensation for surgical bleeding. In part may this reflect a non-compliant CPB methodology and hemodilution. It was confirmed that PSB plasma contained fat, with a suggested embolic potential. Human fat was significantly reduced from mediastinal drain blood by spontaneous density separation and surface adsorption. The prototype FRS used for PSB incubation during CPB allowed an efficient fat reduction.

Most of the blood transfusion facilities had adequate space, but lacked some of the basic equipment. Blood collected in these facilities was not adequate to meet the blood needs of the regions. These facilities lacked specialised personnel and some of those practicing blood transfusion were not conversant with blood groups, transfusion reactions and the measures to be taken if a reaction occurs. The findings of this study will be used to strengthen blood transfusion services in these hard to reach regions.

Leucodepletion, the removal of leucocytes from blood products improves the safety of blood transfusion by reducing adverse events associated with the incidental non-therapeutic transfusion of leucocytes. Leucodepletion has been shown to have clinical benefit for immuno-suppressed patients who require transfusion. The selective leucodepletion of blood products by bed side filtration for these patients has been widely practiced. This study investigated the economic consequences in Queensland of moving from a policy of selective leucodepletion to one of universal leucodepletion, that is providing all transfused patients with blood products leucodepleted during the manufacturing process. Using an analytic decision model a cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted. An ICER of $16.3M per life year gained was derived. Sensitivity analysis found this result to be robust to uncertainty in the parameters used in the model. This result argues against moving to a policy of universal leucodepletion. However during the course of the study the policy decision for universal leucodepletion was made and implemented in Queensland in October 2008. This study has concluded that cost-effectiveness is not an influential factor in policy decisions regarding quality and safety initiatives in the Australian blood sector.