HOIOL team discusses transfusion safety during congress in São Paulo

The Octávio Lobo Children's Oncology Hospital (Hoiol) was present at the Brazilian Congress of Hematology, Hemotherapy, and Cellular Therapy - HEMO 2025, held from October 29 to November 1 in São Paulo (SP). The technical director, Alayde Vieira, hematologist Iê Fernandez, and biomedical Matheus Bernardes presented the study "Effective Strategies for the Rational Use of Blood Components at the Largest Children's Oncology Hospital in Brazil," highlighting the contribution to transfusion safety and the responsible use of blood components in pediatric cancer patients.

The scientific work shows significant results achieved through the adoption of rigorous clinical protocols, internal audits, and ongoing training of multidisciplinary teams. According to the data presented, Hoiol currently performs an average of 270 transfusions per month, a significant reduction compared to previous years when about 400 transfusions were performed monthly. This reflects the implementation of evidence-based strategies and a culture of patient safety.

“Transfusion saves lives when it is well indicated. When it is not, it can pose risks to the patient for various reasons. Therefore, the less we transfuse, the better. This is true patient safety,” emphasizes biomedical Matheus Bernardes.

The actions described in the study reflect the commitment of the Children's Oncology Hospital to quality care, sustainability, and transfusion safety. The institution continuously invests in ongoing education, multidisciplinary integration, and clinical auditing, ensuring that each transfusion is performed in a careful, safe, and evidence-based manner.

The participation of the team at HEMO 2025 reaffirms Hoiol's scientific leadership and its strategic role in disseminating good health practices, reinforcing the commitment to the responsible management of hemotherapy resources and excellence in care provided to children and adolescents with cancer.

“Since the beginning of the Children's Oncology Hospital in 2015, we have focused on ongoing education for the teams regarding the rational use of blood components, both within the Transfusion Agency formed by biomedicals, pharmacists, nurses, and laboratory technicians, as well as for our medical colleagues (prescribers), always bringing updates in the context of hemotherapy applicable to our care profile,” informed Iê Fernandes.

According to the hematologist, care protocols have been defined that support statistical data for evaluating quality and transfusion safety indicators. “We evaluate 100% of the requests for blood components, and whenever we detect a protocol breach, we contact the physician to discuss the case and reach a consensus on the best care for the patient, whether transfusing or suspending the transfusion, as long as the option is well supported,” she concluded.

Text: Leila Cruz- Ascom Hoiol