It is determined that a patient who received a blood transfusion received an infection from the blood. Whom should the nurse notify of this infection?

Notifying both the blood bank and the infection control department is essential when an infection is linked to a blood transfusion. The blood bank needs to be informed because they are responsible for managing and tracking blood products. They must be aware of any adverse events to investigate the source of the infection, assess the safety of blood products, and possibly initiate measures to prevent further occurrences.

The infection control department should also be notified, as they play a critical role in monitoring and managing infections within the healthcare facility. Their involvement is necessary for implementing protocols to investigate potential outbreaks, enhance monitoring, and improve safety practices. This coordinated notification helps ensure patient safety and aligns with protocols to mitigate risks associated with blood transfusions.

Other options, which involve notifying only the physician, the clinical laboratory, or the nursing supervisor, do not encompass the broader responsibility of tracking and managing transfusion-related infections adequately. Each of these departments plays a role, but the critical link to overall safety comes from ensuring both the blood bank and the infection control department are informed.