Extensive red blood cell matching considering patient alloimmunization risk.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Red blood cell (RBC) transfusions pose a risk of alloantibody development in patients. For patients with increased alloimmunization risk, extended preventive matching is advised, encompassing not only the ABO-D blood groups but also the most clinically relevant minor antigens: C, c, E, e, K, Fya, Fyb, Jka, Jkb, S and s. This study incorporates patient-specific data and the clinical consequences of mismatching into the allocation process. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have redefined the MINimize Relative Alloimmunization Risks (MINRAR) model to include patient group preferences in selecting RBC units from a finite supply. A linear optimization approach was employed, considering both antigen immunogenicity and the clinical impact of mismatches for specific patient groups. We also explore the advantages of informing the blood bank about scheduled transfusions, allowing for a more strategic blood distribution. The model is evaluated using historical data from two Dutch hospitals, measuring shortages and minor antigen mismatches. RESULTS: The updated model, emphasizing patient group-specific considerations, achieves a similar number of mismatches as the original, yet shifts mismatches among patient groups and antigens, reducing expected alloimmunization consequences. Simultaneous matching for multiple hospitals at the distribution centre level, considering scheduled demands, led to a 30% decrease in mismatches and a 92% reduction in shortages. CONCLUSION: The reduction of expected alloimmunization consequences by incorporating patient group preferences demonstrates our strategy's effectiveness for patient health. Substantial reductions in mismatches and shortages with multi-hospital collaboration highlights the importance of sharing information in the blood supply chain.

Pre-Caesarean Section Vaginal Preparation with Chlorhexidine Solution in Preventing Puerperal Infectious Morbidities: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Globally, peripartum or puerperal infections account for about one tenth of maternal mortality, most of which occur in low income countries. Therefore, vaginal preparation with an antiseptic prior to a caesarean delivery could be considered an additional measure to prevent subsequent infectious morbidities. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate vaginal preparation with 0.3% chlorhexidine solution in the prevention of endometritis, surgical site infection and post-operative fever following emergency caesarean section. METHODS: This prospective randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted among 240 participants planned for emergency caesarean sections (CS) at term in the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital Complex, Ondo State, Nigeria. Participants were randomised into either group "A" (study) or "B" (control). The former had vaginal preparation with 0.3% chlorhexidine gluconate immediately after anaesthesia while the latter received normal saline. Participants were followed up post-operatively during which clinical features of puerperal infectious morbidities were observed for each during admission as well as 8th and 14th days after delivery. RESULTS: The rate and risk of endometritis were significantly lower in the study group compared to the control; 5.0% versus 13.3%, respectively (chi squared =5.004; p=0.042, RR = 0.38; 95% CI = 0.15-0.94; p = 0.042; RRR = 0.62). Post-operative fever and surgical site infection, were also lower in the study group compared to the controls, but the difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: When compared to placebo, pre-caesarean section vaginal preparation with 0.3% chlorhexidine solution significantly reduced only the rate and risk of post-operative endometritis among infectious morbidities.

CONTEXTE: À l'échelle mondiale, infections péripartum ou puerpérales représentent environ un dixième de la mortalité maternelle, dont la plupart se produisent dans les pays à faible revenu. Par conséquent, la préparation vaginale avec un antiseptique avant un accouchement par césarienne pourrait être considéré comme un mesure supplémentaire pour prévenir les morbidités infectieuses subséquentes. OBJECTIFS: Évaluer la préparation vaginale avec 0.3%solution de chlorhexidine dans la prévention de l'endométrite, site chirurgical infection et fièvre postopératoire après une césarienne d'urgence section. MÉTHODES: Cet essai prospectif randomisé contrôlé (ECR)a été menée auprès de 240 participants prévus pour une urgence césariennes (CS) à terme à l'Université des sciences médicales Complexe hospitalier universitaire, État d'Ondo, Nigéria. Les participants étaient randomisé dans le groupe "A" (étude) ou "B" (témoin). Celui-là avait une préparation vaginale avec 0.3 % de gluconate de chlorhexidine immédiatement après l'anesthésie alors que ce dernier a reçu une solution saline normale. Les participants ont été suivis postopératoirement au cours desquels des caractéristiques de morbidité infectieuse puerpérale ont été observées pour chaquelors de l'admission ainsi que les 8ème et 14ème jours après la livraison. RÉSULTATS: Le taux et le risque d'endométrite étaient significativement plus faibles dans le groupe d'étude par rapport au groupe témoin; 5.0 % contre 13.3 %, respectivement (chi carré =5.004; p=0.042, RR = 0.38; 95% CI = 0.15­0.94; p = 0.042; RRR = 0.62). Fièvre postopératoire et infection du site chirurgical, étaient également plus faibles dans le groupe d'étude par rapport aux témoins, mais lela différence n'était pas statistiquement significative. CONCLUSION: Par rapport au placebo, pré-césarienne préparation vaginale avec une solution de chlorhexidine à 0.3% significativement réduit uniquement le taux et le risque d'endométrite postopératoire chez morbidités infectieuses. Mots-clés: Chlorhexidine, Préparation Vaginale, Infection Puerpéral emorbidité, Césarienne, Endométrite, Fièvre Postopératoire, Infection Du Site Chirurgical.