Management of blood products: Nursing knowledge and practices at an academic hospital.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the knowledge and practice of nurses at an academic hospital regarding the handling of red blood cells (RBCs) and platelets. METHODS: A descriptive study was performed using a paper-based questionnaire. Nurses from 12 wards where these products are frequently transfused were purposefully selected to participate. RESULTS: Ninety-nine questionnaires were analysed. While 78.9 % respondents reported that their knowledge regarding the handling of RBCs and platelets was adequate, 81.7 % still stated that they would like more training on this subject. Almost half (45.2 %) reported that the time of arrival of RBCs and platelets on the ward was not charted, while 25.5 % indicated that they warm all these blood products before transfusion. About eighty percent (80.8 %) did not know where to store platelets in the ward and 37.4 % knew the average duration of a platelet transfusion. The term, blood on returnable basis was correctly interpreted by 6.1 % of respondents. CONCLUSION: Gaps exist in the knowledge and practice of nursing staff regarding the correct handling of RBCs and platelets, specifically discarding, storage and warming of these products. Addressing such gaps would improve patient care and contribute towards patient blood management.

The knowledge of transfusion and related practices among doctors at Universitas Academic Complex, Bloemfontein, South Africa.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the knowledge of transfusion and related practices among doctors working at Universitas Academic Complex (UAC), Bloemfontein, South Africa. We aimed to describe training history, transfusion knowledge and reported haemovigilance reporting habits. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study was performed using an anonymous questionnaire distributed at departmental meetings. The study population included doctors working in adult disciplines that frequently transfuse blood from the UAC. Ethics approval was obtained from the University of the Free State, Health Sciences Research Ethics Committee. Permission to conduct the study was obtained from the Free State Department of Health. Results were summarised by frequencies and percentages. RESULTS: Questionnaires of 152 respondents were analysed. Most of the respondents (31.5 %) were registrars and medical officers with less than 5 years' experience, followed by specialists (19.9 %). Although prescribing habits varied, 43.3 % of respondents prescribe blood at least weekly. Almost a third (29.9 %) of respondents had never received any transfusion training. A haemoglobin-based transfusion trigger is used by 76.2 % of respondents. Almost 80 % of respondents reported using a single unit of blood followed by clinical reassessment before ordering a second unit. Cost of laboratory investigations and lack of human resources were the main reported obstacles to adequately investigating anaemia. Forty percent of respondents involved with the care of patients who suffered a transfusion related adverse event reported the event to the blood service. CONCLUSION: At the (UAC), where blood is frequently transfused, we note infrequent training, poor knowledge of some basic transfusion principles and poor haemovigilance reporting.