What can result from an incorrect patient identification during a blood transfusion?

An incorrect patient identification during a blood transfusion can lead to a serious transfusion reaction. This is primarily due to the mismatch between the donor blood type and the recipient's blood type. Transfusion reactions can be life-threatening, causing acute hemolytic reactions in which the immune system attacks the transfused red blood cells, leading to symptoms such as fever, chills, back pain, and potentially even shock or renal failure.

Such reactions occur because the recipient's immune system recognizes the foreign red blood cells from the donor as a threat, triggering an immune response. This highlights the critical importance of verifying patient identity and ensuring that blood products are correctly matched to the recipient before transfusion. Ensuring proper identification procedures can significantly reduce the risk of these severe complications associated with transfusion therapy.