Bacterially contaminated blood
Transfusion of bacterially contaminated blood can cause fever, shock, collapse and death.
Blood most commonly becomes bacterially contaminated at the time it is collected when the venepuncture site is not
cleansed sufficiently or when a non-sterile blood collection set or blood collecting bag is used.
Blood must always be examined for signs of contamination at the time of use, i.e. when collected from the blood bank and at the patient’s bedside.
When grossly contaminated, blood appears haemolyzed and dark in colour. Some bacteria also cause clotting.
Bacteria which commonly contaminate blood are able to multiply in refrigerated blood.
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