GEN57 Collect blood / blood products from storage for transfusion

Overview

This standard covers the collection of blood and blood products from the hospital blood bank or satellite fridge for a patient who needs a transfusion of blood or blood products. This includes selecting the correct blood and/or blood product to be transfused, completing and understanding the minimum requirements on the blood collection slip (or equivalent local patient documentation) and checking that blood is correctly labelled. This standard is relevant to anyone required to collect and deliver blood / blood products to support safe blood transfusion by ensuring the correct blood or blood product is available for the correct patient. Users of this standard 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, organisational policies and protocols in accordance with Clinical/Corporate Governance which affect your work practice in relation to collecting blood products from storage for transfusion
2. Your responsibilities and accountability in relation to the current European and National legislation, national guidelines and local policies and protocols and Clinical/Corporate Governance
3. The duty to report any acts or omissions in care that could be detrimental to yourself, other individuals or your employer
4. The adverse events or patient safety incidents which can arise when collecting blood / blood products from the fridge.
5. The factors to consider in selecting the appropriate blood product from the fridge
6. The remedial actions you should take if there are any problems identifying the correct unit to be collected
7. How to transport blood / blood products from the fridge safely back to the ward and/or other clinical areas
8. The information that needs to be recorded on the blood collection slip (or other documentation used locally which is taken to the fridge when blood is collected)

 

Performance Criteria

You must be able to do the following:

1. collect the patient documentation for blood collection confirming that the minimum  dataset is completed on the patient documentation with the member of staff requesting the blood/blood product before leaving the clinical area
2. locate and remove the unit of blood / blood products from the fridge, following organisational policies and procedures
3. make sure that you close the fridge door properly to avoid jeopardising the usability of other blood and/or blood products which have been stored there
4. confirm selection of the correct unit of blood / blood product with the minimum dataset on the patient documentation taking appropriate action in relation to any discrepancies
5. accurately and legibly complete the required recording documentation related to removal of blood / blood components from the storage fridge, including:
   1. the date and time of removal
   2. your signature
6. deliver the blood / blood product to the relevant member of staff promptly ensuring you do not leave the blood / blood product unattended at any point in the process
7. check the details on the delivered blood / blood product match those on the patient documentation with the relevant member of staff
8. complete the required recording documentation accurately and legibly

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: EF3 Transport and logistics