Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices Related to Hemovigilance Among Healthcare Professionals: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Hemovigilance is an essential component of transfusion safety that involves the identification, reporting, analysis, and prevention of adverse events related to blood transfusion. It plays an important role in improving patient safety and strengthening the quality of transfusion practices in hospitals. Healthcare professionals are involved in patient monitoring, recognition of transfusion reactions, and reporting of adverse events; therefore, their knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding hemovigilance are crucial for the effective functioning of a hemovigilance system. However, limited training and inadequate familiarity with reporting procedures may adversely affect the implementation of hemovigilance in clinical practice.

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding hemovigilance among healthcare professionals at a tertiary care hospital in India.

Material and methods: This hospital-based cross-sectional study was carried out among 110 healthcare professionals working at a tertiary care hospital. Data were collected using a predesigned, structured, and self-administered questionnaire that included sociodemographic and professional details along with items related to the knowledge, attitude, and practice domains of hemovigilance. The knowledge domain assessed awareness regarding hemovigilance, transfusion reactions, reporting systems, and patient safety. The attitude domain evaluated the perception of participants toward the importance of hemovigilance, need for training, professional responsibility, and inclusion in curriculum or professional education. The practice domain assessed exposure to blood transfusion, familiarity with reporting forms, participation in case discussions, prior reporting experience, and response to suspected transfusion reactions.

Results: The mean age of the 110 participants was 29.64 ± 4.82 years. Most participants were in the age group of 26-30 years (n=46, 41.82%), and nurses constituted the largest professional group (n=50, 45.45%). Only 36.36% (n=40) had received prior formal training in hemovigilance. In the knowledge domain, 61.82% (n=68) had heard the term hemovigilance, 76.36% (n=84) knew that transfusion reactions should be reported, but only 36.36% (n=40) were aware of the national hemovigilance program, and 32.73% (n=36) knew about reporting forms or procedures. Positive attitude was observed in 81.82% (n=90) of participants, with 92.73% (n=102) considering hemovigilance important for patient safety and 94.55% (n=104) supporting training workshops. Practice was inadequate, as only 30.91% (n=34) had received reporting training, 25.45% (n=28) were familiar with reporting forms, and 9.09% (n=10) had ever reported or assisted in reporting a transfusion reaction. Significant association of knowledge was observed with gender (p = 0.038), professional category (p = 0.002), and prior training (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Healthcare professionals demonstrated moderate knowledge and a highly positive attitude toward hemovigilance, but their practical implementation and familiarity with reporting procedures were inadequate. Regular training programs, practical sensitization, and strengthening of hospital hemovigilance systems are essential to improve transfusion safety and reporting practices.