Nursing Performance Regard Caring For Patients Undergoing Blood Transfusion

Abstract

Around 2.9 million blood components are issued every year in the UK. Blood transfusion is generally a safe process that saves lives and improves the quality of life for patients with a large range of clinical conditions. However, there are a number of risks associated with transfusion, as with any other clinical intervention. Right blood, right patient, right time: RCN guidance for improving transfusion practice sets out pragmatic advice for nursing staff in the administration of red blood cells and other blood components (fresh frozen plasma, cryoprecipitate and platelets). The guidance is not wholly evidence-based but built on recommendations to improve the safety of blood ordering and administration from current national guidelines and Serious Hazards of Transfusion (SHOT, 2015). The administration of blood and blood components involves more than 60 steps and each of these may be subject to error. Standard protocols for the administration of blood are essential to minimize the potential for error. These protocols should be in place in each institution and should conform to standard practice as outlined in these guidelines. A quality management system should exist in each institution. This should include an active transfusion committee, a process to