title: Transfusion Practices Committee of a public blood bank network in Minas Gerais, Brazil.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to verify the performance of blood transfusion committees in transfusion services linked to the public blood bank network of the state of Minas Gerais.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional observational study was conducted between 2007 and 2008 using questionnaires and proficiency tests to evaluate the reporting and investigation of transfusion reactions comparing transfusion services with and without transfusion committees in the public transfusion services of the state of Minas Gerais.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nineteen of Hemominas own transfusion services and 207 that contracted the services of the foundation located in 178 municipalities were visited between 2007 and 2008. Established transfusion committees were present in 63.4% of the services visited. Transfusion incidents were reported by 53 (36.8%) transfusion services with transfusion committees and by eight (9.6%) without transfusion committees (p < 0.001) with 543 (97.5%) and 14 (2.5%) notifications, respectively. Of the reported transfusion incidents, 40 (75.5%) transfusion services with transfusion committees and only two (25%) of those without transfusion committees investigated the causes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The incidence of notification and investigation of the causes of transfusion reactions was higher in transfusion services where a transfusion committee was present. Despite these results, the performance of these committees was found to be incipient and a better organization and more effective operation are required.
authors: Fundação Centro de Hematologia e Hemoterapia de Minas Gerais - Fundação Hemominas, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
authors: Ricardo Vilas Freire
authors: RV
authors: de Carvalho
authors: Stela
authors: S
authors: Brener
authors: Angela Melgaço
authors: AM
authors: Ferreira
authors: Marcele Cunha Ribeiro
authors: MC
authors: do Valle
authors: Helio
authors: H
authors: Moraes-Souza
keywords: Blood banks; Blood safety; Blood transfusion; Professional staff committees