Patient involvement in blood transfusion processes and blood transfusion safety

Project Summary

Background and methods

Blood transfusion is, like many other clinical procedures, inherently risky. These risks stem both from the potential clinical complications and from the possibility of error and sub-optimal care during the transfusion process. In the last 20 years, many studies have documented errors at all stages of the transfusion process. Initially these were addressed by education and training programmes, but with limited success. Substantial gains in efficiency and safety have been made however with a variety of technological innovations, including bar coding and the use of hand held computers. Blood transfusion is now a remarkably safe procedure, but there is still a need to review systems for vulnerabilities. In particular, attention is now turning to the decisions made by clinicians and the advice given to patients about the need for transfusion.

Technological solutions, while essential, can never completely assure safety and quality. Findings ways to support and train the people involved remains essential. Blood services invest heavily in educating and training staff, however the patient themselves could also play a role. For example, patients could help to reduce transfusion errors related to patient misidentification by participating in 4 core checking-related procedures, including checking: 1) they have been asked their name; 2) they have been asked their date of birth; 3) they have their identification wristband on, and; 4) their details have been checked against the bag of blood. To date however little attention has been paid to the patients’ perspective on their potential role in ensuring and promoting safe, high quality care within the context of blood transfusion safety. In addition very little is known about the extent to which healthcare professionals would be willing to support patient involvement in transfusion-related behaviours.

This project addresses the gap in current evidence base by using a range of methods including systematic review, expert consultation and qualitative and quantitative surveys

Project aims

1. Patients’ willingness to participate in transfusion-related behaviours;
2. The impact of healthcare professionals’ encouragement on patients’ willingness to participate in transfusion-related behaviours;
3. Healthcare professionals’ willingness to support patients to participate in transfusion-related behaviours;
4. Patients’ attitudes toward information provision regarding the transfusion process