3. Blood administration

Key points

Positive patient identification
• Right patient right blood
• Patient identification band in place
• Bood order reviewed
• Patient consent taken (if applicable)
• Patient in an observable location 
• Check patient ABO & RhD
• ABO bedside test (if applicable) 

Rationale

• Ensuring these checks are part of the administration process reduces the risk of the patient receiving a wrong blood transfusion
• Consider a bedside tick checklist for nurses to use for safe administration 
 

Links to resources (where available)

Clinical Transfusion Practice - BloodSafe eLearning Australia (bloodsafelearning.org.au)

Transfusion checklist | Lifeblood

Guidelines for the administration of blood products 2nd Edition (anzsbt.org.au)

TP Posters | The International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT) (isbtweb.org)

Videos | (bloodsafelearning.org.au)

Key points

Blood transfusion observations
• Take and document patient observations
• These must be taken before the transfusion has started (e.g. within 30 minutes)
• 0bservations required set locally (should include heart rate, blood pressure & temperature)

Rationale

In the event of an adverse even the patient has baseline observations documented

Links to resources (where available)

Monitoring and observation | Lifeblood

Administration of Blood Components (b-s-h.org.uk)

Key points

Transfusion equipment 
• Correct giving set for blood & blood components
• Blood infusion pump if used
• Patent IV access
• Clean non touch technique to connect transfusion to patient cannula

Rationale

Knowledge of equipment required reduces risk of transfusion delays or blood wastage 

Links to resources (where available)

Blood Book: Australian Blood Administration Handbook: Resource library | Lifeblood

Administration of Blood Components (b-s-h.org.uk)