CHS102 Prepare to administer transfusion of blood / blood products to patients

Overview

This standard is about the preparation required for the administration of a transfusion of blood / blood products to an individual who has been identified as requiring this procedure. This includes correctly identifying the patient, confirming administration documentation is accurate, legible and complete. It also involves explaining the process to the patient and confirming patent venous access. This standard is relevant to anyone required to carry out this activity to support safe blood transfusion by ensuring the correct blood or blood product is given to the correct patient. Users of this standard will need to ensure that practice reflects up to date information and policies. Version No 1

Knowledge and Understanding

You will need to know and understand:

1. The current European and national legislation, national guidelines and local policies and procedures which affect your work practice in relation to administering blood / blood products
2. Your responsibilities and accountability in relation to the current European and national legislation, national guidelines and procedures
3. The importance of obtaining positive confirmation of an individual’s consent before starting the blood transfusion procedure
4. Organisational policy on the appropriate way to identify patients requiring transfusion of blood/blood products
5. The importance of applying standard precautions and the potential consequences of poor practice
6. The adverse events/patient safety incidents which can arise during the administration of blood / blood products
7. The blood transfusion administration process
8. The factors involved in the procedure which could affect the quality of the blood
9. The remedial actions you should take if there are any problems identifying the patient
10. The process for preparing for administration of a transfusion of blood / blood products
11. How and to whom you need to report any concerns regarding any aspects of pre transfusion checks
12. The concerns which individuals may have in relation to receiving a blood transfusion
13. How to prepare an individual for receiving a blood transfusion, including how their personal beliefs and preferences may affect their preparation
14. The information that needs to be recorded on the transfusion record and in the patient’s case notes during the preparation process
15. The importance of keeping accurate and up to date records
16. The importance of immediately reporting any issues which are outside your own sphere of competence without delay to the relevant member of staff

Performance Criteria

You must be able to do the following:

1. apply standard precautions for infection control and any other relevant health and safety measures
2. identify the patient requiring the transfusion using appropriate methods of identification
3. ensure the blood transfusion prescription confirms:
1. the reason why the blood transfusion is required
2. the number of units to be transfused
4. report any discrepancies or omissions you might find to relevant member of staff, ensuring these are addressed before recommencing preparation for transfusion
5. check the patient’s transfusion history to ascertain if any special transfusion requirements have been identified on the prescription
6. ensure the patient has sufficient information to be able to make an informed decision about receiving the blood transfusion
7. check their understanding of the reason the transfusion is being administered
8. answer any questions that the patient has clearly and accurately
9. check the patient’s vital signs before the transfusion is administered
10. confirm that all blood transfusion administration records and prescriptions are available, up to date, legible and accurate with the member of staff leading the process
11. confirm any intravenous fluid in the giving set is compatible with the blood product(s) to be transfused
12. sign the prescription to confirm that the patient identification checks have been carried out at the bedside

Additional Information

This National Occupational Standard was developed by Skills for Health. This standard links with the following dimension within the NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework (October 2004): Dimension: HWB7 Interventions and treatments