Introduction to Transfusion of Blood Components and Products Policy and Procedures

1. Introduction to Transfusion of Blood Components and Products Policy and Procedures August 2014 Contributors: Transfusion of Blood Components and Products policy and procedure Toolkit Development team.

2. New AHS Policy In the 4th quarter of 2014, AHS will release a new policy titled Transfusion of Blood Components and Products.

3. Why a new policy? • Reinforcescurrent practice • Facilitates the safe transfusion of patients in AHS • Transfusion of a blood component is a “liquid transplant”, and does pose risk to patients. • A provincial standard will aid in meeting Provincial and National requirements for documented evidence of initial training and ongoing competency for personnel involved in Transfusion.

4. Development • A collaborative working group consisting of transfusion medicine, clinical, policy and medical personnel was formed in Aug. 2013 to draft the policy and procedures. • Stakeholder consultation via targeted electronic survey was completed in March 2014. • Overwhelming support in favour of the policy and procedure was received. • A sub group was struck to develop the toolkit to aid in implementation of the policy and procedure.

5. Objectives of Policy • Consistent experience for the patient • Improve patient safety • Standardization of processes • Appropriate and effective utilization of blood components and blood products • Clarity in roles & responsibility

6. Procedures • 2 procedures have been developed to support the new policy: • Transfusion of Blood Components and Products – Adult Acute • Transfusion of Blood Components and Products – Pediatric/Neonate Acute

7. Objectives of Procedures • Consistent, defined practices to ensure safe transfusion of all patients. • Ensure the right product is given to the right patient. • Provide protection for the blood component and products, a valuable and limited resource. • Monitor the transfusion process and provide a feedback mechanism that helps ensure the quality and safety of the blood supply.

8. AHS Policy Statement Alberta Health Services is committed to promoting a safe, effective process for acute care patients requiring blood components and products.

9. Policy Elements • The policy elements standardize the following for blood components and products: • Informed written (signed) consent for transfusion • Transfusion competency • Collection of pre-transfusion specimens • Obtaining and verifying • Administration and monitoring • Adverse events/reactions • Documentation of transfusion • Patient notification

10. Policy Elements – Whose Responsibility? All AHS Health Care Practitioners who are involved in any aspect of transfusion medicine are responsible to: • Be aware of the policy and procedures, and read them. • Understand their individual roles and responsibilities as identified in the policy and procedures. • Complete the staff education modules.

11. Toolkit resources In addition to the Policy and Procedures, the resources suite includes: • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) • Key Elements • Learning Module • PowerPoint presentation(s) • Patient education • Zone specific resources

12. Where Can I find the Policy Suite/ Associated Resources • The Transfusion of Blood Components and Products Policy suite will be found on the Clinical Policy web page. • This Power Point presentation along with the rest of the toolkit to support this policy suite can be found through the policy web page or directly from this link: (insert link) • The staff education modules will be available on MyLearningLink, or through manual download.

13. Questions Contact: practice.consultation@albertahealthservices.ca