RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: This study was designed to discuss the time elapsed between cell, tissue, and organ donation and transplantation and detection of adverse events notified in São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: This is a descriptive study with a quantitative approach. Data were provided by the Transplant Center of the state of São Paulo from the "Individual notification form of adverse reactions in Biovigilance" between 2016 and 2019. Analysis was performed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Fifty-two notifications were analyzed, and 3 categories were formed: (1) adverse events detected on the same day of the transplant, 8; (2) adverse events detected between 1 week and 1.5 years after transplant, 40; and (3) adverse events detected 2 years after transplant, 4. CONCLUSION: The discussion on the topic is beginning; however, it is important. Clinical management of transplant recipients and comprehending what is considered an adverse event and the natural course of a patient's life can impact clinical decision-making, public policies, and patient safety research. This study highlights the need to investigate related factors to adverse events, especially the time between the transplant procedure and adverse event detection, to establish clinical guidelines.