REPLY
Bacteria and Safety of the Blood Supply
James P. AuBuchon, MD;
John D. Birkmeyer, MD; and
Michael P. Busch, MD, PhD
15 July 1998 | Volume 129 Issue 2 | Page 165
IN RESPONSE:
We are pleased that Drs. Kuehnert and Jarvis have used a response to our review to highlight the current nationwide study of the frequency and correlates of bacterial contamination of blood components. Clearly, more information is needed to precisely determine the risk for this occurrence and to identify possible ways to interdict contaminated units.
The intent of our article was to highlight the unintended consequences of several efforts to improve the safety of the blood supply. Because these efforts have focused primarily on reducing risks for viral transmission, we did not discuss other transfusion-related complications.
With the dramatic reduction in the likelihood of viral transmission through transfusion that has been achieved over the past decade, the risk for bacterial contamination has increased in relative importance and prominence. After the completion of the important study of Drs. Kuehnert and Jarvis, an allocation of resources appropriate to the magnitude of the risk for bacterial contamination of blood components should then be directed at reducing the occurrence of this complication.
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Author and Article Information
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 Author & Article Info
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Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center; Lebanon, NH 03756
University of California, San Francisco; San Francisco, CA 94118
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