Nursing care procedures in response to adverse events to blood donation

The aim of this study was to identify types of adverse events, clinical manifestations and nursing care procedures adopted in response to adverse events to blood donation, and to verify the association between these procedures and the adverse events. This was an epidemiological, retrospective study conducted through analysis of 1369 records of treatment of adverse events to blood donation, during the period between January 2009 and December 2011. Descriptive statistics and contingency tables were used to analyze associations through the use of Cramér's V. A total of 92.6% of adverse events were classified as mild, and clinical manifestations were malaise, dizziness, pallor and sweating. The Trendelenburg position, vital signs monitoring, oral hydration and directions for care after blood donation were the main procedures adopted. A statistical significance was observed between the nursing procedures and the types of adverse events. The results point to the critical role of nursing in treating adverse events to blood donation.