The Transfusion Team has started a 4-week awareness campaign to highlight the critical role it plays in promoting safe, efficient, and appropriate transfusion practices in honour of its 20th Anniversary.
The campaign intends to highlight the significance of being vigilant in preventing Transfusion Associated Circulatory Overload (TACO) and to bring attention to important concerns affecting clinical transfusion.
This week, the campaign brings Consent into the forefront. Any patient who is expected to receive blood components should give their informed, legitimate consent before receiving a transfusion.
This also holds true in cases where a patient needs a transfusion but is incapable of understanding and using information to make or communicate a decision.
Moira Caldwell, Transfusion Practitioner, said: “The Transfusion Team is urging individuals to spread the word that getting consent before a transfusion is the gold standard of ethical transfusion practices in order to promote safe and acceptable blood transfusions.
“The advantages and disadvantages of transfusions should be discussed, together with information on other options, such as Iron supplements, and the effects of not having any treatment at all.
“Patient information leaflets should be used to facilitate consent discussions, and the patient’s medical record should promptly and clearly reflect these discussions. Please abide by the guidance in the National Transfusion Record and continuation sheet.”
Next week, the campaign will resume with an emphasis on Positive Patient Identification.
Use the hashtag #SNBTSTransfusionTeam on social media to participate in the campaign, remain updated and show your dedication to safe and appropriate transfusion practices.
