CONTAMINATED BLOOD IN TRANSFUSION

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27682, 11 June 1955, Page 2

CONTAMINATED BLOOD IN TRANSFUSION

EVIDENCE GIVEN AT INQUEST (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 10. An unusual type of bacteria which was able to multiply in a refrigerated blood bank had contaminated blood which was given to a patient, causing his death, Dr. J. C. Mercer, a pathologist, said today in evidence at the inquest in to the death of Herbert Frood, aged 62, at the Wellington Public Hospital on May 7. The bacteria was unusual in that it did not change the appearance of the blood in the bottle, as was the case with other forms of bacteria, said Dr. Mercer. Two-thirds of the bottle of blood had been given to the patient when a sudden rigor had occurred, said the pathologist. Transfusion had immediately been stopped and the remainder of the bottle tested immediately. It was found to be contarpinated by bacteria. A check showed that two other bottles in the bank were similarly contaminated. There was no evidence that every precaution had not been taken, he said. The difficulty of examining all blood before it was used was that the opening of the bottle would cause contamination. Ordinary bacteria in blood could not survive refrigeration, and with usual contamination the effect on the red cells was visible to the naked eye. The contamination was not the fault of the staff, but* of the equipment, said Dr. Mercer. The Coroner (Mr W. G.*L. Mellish) found that death was due to" toxaemia caused by a transfusion of contaminated blood.