Microbiological environmental contamination in the blood supply chain: An international survey by the bacterial subgroup of the ISBT Transfusion-Transmitted Infectious Diseases Working Party: Microbiological environmental contamination in the blood supply chain

Blood transfusion centres ensure the quality and safety of transfusable blood components. However, septic transfusion reactions involving environmental contaminants occur. An international survey issued by the ISBT Transfusion-Transmitted Infectious Diseases Working Party (ISBT-TTID-WP) Bacterial Subgroup aimed to collect information regarding microbiological environmental monitoring from transfusion services.

Materials and Methods: A Form survey (English and Spanish) with 35 questions was sent to ISBT-TTID-WP members. The survey had four sections: (1) respondent personal information, (2) cleaning/disinfection practices during blood component manufacturing, (3) cleaning/disinfection practices during blood component storage and (4) blood component storage bag integrity. Respondents completed the survey electronically, and data were comparatively analysed using Microsoft Excel.

Results: There were 49 responses from 20 countries. Five of 49 sites manufacture blood components in a cleanroom, and most use personal protective equipment, although the type varied between sites. Approximately 40% of sites perform environmental monitoring during blood component production, with seven sites providing details about frequency and methods. Most (~94%) centres have procedures for cleaning/disinfection of processing and storage facilities with varying responses regarding areas, frequency and methods. Inconsistency was reported regarding the orientation of platelet component incubation (portrait vs. landscape). Over 93% of sites assess storage bag integrity and report damage to manufacturers, and 49% of centres report septic transfusion reactions potentially linked to damaged storage containers.

Conclusion: Data from this survey highlight the need for consensual guidelines for transfusion services regarding cleaning and disinfection practices. Environmental monitoring could be adopted to minimize the risk of blood component contamination for transfusion patient safety.