Bhadrachalam blood bank label error sparks expiry date confusion
BHADRACHALAM: A blood bag carrying an incorrect expiry date label led to confusion at a government hospital after medical staff refused to transfuse it to a pregnant woman, citing the date printed on the bag.
Pregnant woman shifted to alternative blood unit
A voluntary organisation conducted a blood donation camp in Bhadrachalam on June 14 and collected blood from donors. As per norms, some blood bags were handed over to the Area Hospital blood bank.
A pregnant woman admitted to the Manuguru Government Hospital later required O-positive blood. Her family collected a unit from the Bhadrachalam Area Hospital blood bank on Tuesday and took it to Manuguru.
The blood bag showed the collection date as June 14, but its expiry date was printed as May 19, prompting medical staff at Manuguru Hospital to decline its use.
Officials trace source of labelling mistake
The woman’s relatives returned to the Bhadrachalam Area Hospital the same day and questioned the blood bank staff over the apparent discrepancy. The incident came to light on Wednesday, and officials began examining where the error occurred.
Area Hospital Superintendent Rajashekhar Reddy said the blood unit was actually valid until the 19th and that the mistake could have been avoided had the date been checked before issuing the blood bag. He said a memo would be issued to the staff member responsible for the lapse.
Manuguru Hospital Superintendent Gouri Prasad said the blood was not transfused after the expiry date printed on the bag was noticed and that another blood unit was arranged for the patient.
