BLOOD TRANSFUSION

OBJECTIVES
To provide guidelines on the collection, storage, handling, usage and the administration of
blood and blood components and to ensure this processes meet the patients treatment needs in
safe and timely manner.
To ensure appropriate care is taken to prevent infection and minimize blood-related
reactions and complications.
This policy defines the roles and responsibilities of laboratory, nursing, and medical staff in
collecting, processing, storing, handling, use and administering blood and blood components.
POLICY
All healthcare workers handling blood and blood components must adhere to the universal
precautions.
Correct patient identification must be ascertained when taking blood samples for T&S and
when transfusing blood and blood components to the patient to prevent errors of identifications.
The identification of patients must be verified using at least 2 identifiers (e.g. patients
name, identification number, date of birth). The patients room number or location must not be
used as identifiers.
Informed consent must be obtained when:
Procedures for taking blood specimens for Type and Screening
a. The T&S request form (both original and attached copy) must be filled correctly and send
to the laboratory.
b. Confirmed details of patient and check the details on his/her wristband against the details
on the request form
c. Select the EDTA, pink top specimen and take the blood sample
d. The specimen tube must be labeled with patients name, NRIC number, date of birth
e. Confirm that the details in the specimen tube matches in the wrist band and T&S form.
f. Sign in the T&S form. A second signatory is required
g. Do not pre-label the specimen tube or use correction fluid
Procedure for administering Blood and Blood Components
a. Identify patient correctly
b. Verification of patients identity
c. Details of the transfusion, including the donor unit number , date and time of transfusion
must be clearly documented in the patients medical record
d. Doctor must observe and record the patients vital signs before administering the blood
and blood component
e. All blood and blood components must be transfused within 30 minutes after collection
from the blood bank.
f. No medication, intravenous solution must be added to blood or blood components
g. Transfusion of red blood cells, FFP, cryoprecipitate must be completed within 4 hours
h. Platelets must be completed within 2 hours
i. The transfusion set must be changed every 4 hourly when transfusion of multiple units is
required
j. Patients vital signs must be closely observed for the first 15 minutes at the start of the
transfusion. Record vital signs every half hour for 1 hour, then hourly thereafter
k. Transfusion slip must be filled up