Investigation - Mild Allergic (Urticarial) Transfusion Reactions

Transfusion services should have clear policies as to what investigations are required for transfusion complications. An example immediate investigation shows steps that could be used to investigate any immediate transfusion reaction.

IMPORTANT: When beginning an investigation, because similar symptoms may occur in several types of complications, all possibilities must be investigated. As patient history, clinical presentation and laboratory results accrue, a differential diagnosis is carefully assessed from which the ultimate diagnosis emerges.

In the case of isolated urticaria and/or pruritis (i.e., no other signs or symptoms present) if the identification of the patient and donor do not reveal any discrepancies, a laboratory investigation is not usually indicated. The transfusion can usually be restarted after antihistamine is administered provided the patient is monitored and if in accord with an institution's policies and protocols.