CHS103 Administer a transfusion of blood / blood products

Overview

This standard is about administering a transfusion of blood / blood products to an individual who has been identified as requiring this procedure. This involves confirming pre transfusion checks have been made to ensure the correct patient receives the correct blood.  It also involves supporting and monitoring the patient throughout the transfusion procedure, identifying and responding promptly to indications of adverse reactions, completing relevant documentation and disposing of used blood bags and other used equipment of completion. 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 identity and consent before starting the blood transfusion procedure, including effective ways of getting positive identification
4. The importance of working within your own sphere of competence and seeking advice when faced with situations outside your sphere of competence
5. The importance of applying standard precautions and the potential consequences of poor practice specific to the administration of blood / blood products
6. Blood clotting processes and factors influencing blood clotting
7. The blood transfusion administration process
8. The patient identification process and the checks necessary for confirming that the blood product is labelled correctly
9. The factors involved in the procedure which could affect the quality of the blood
10. The remedial actions you should take if there are any problems identifying the patient
11. The complications and problems that may occur during blood transfusion, how to recognise them and what actions to take
12. The contra-indications and changes in behaviour and condition, which indicate that the procedure should be stopped and advice sought
13. The concerns which individuals may have in relation to receiving a blood transfusion
14. How to prepare an individual for receiving a blood transfusion, including how their personal beliefs and preferences may affect their preparation
15. What is likely to cause discomfort to individuals during and after the blood transfusion, and how such discomfort can be minimised
16. Common adverse reactions/events relating to blood transfusion, how to recognise them and the actions to take if they occur
17. The information that needs to be recorded on the transfusion record and in the patient’s case notes throughout the blood transfusion process
18. The importance of keeping accurate and up to date records
19. 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. confirm all pre transfusion checks have been carried following organisational policies and procedures
4. report any discrepancies or omissions you might find to the relevant member of staff
5. complete the blood transfusion administration record/documentation, accurately and legibly
6. administer the blood / blood product to the individual as prescribed
7. monitor and record the individual’s vital signs following organisational policies and procedures
8. take immediate and appropriate remedial action in relation to any identified adverse reactions
9. inspect the cannulation site and lines at regular intervals according to agreed protocols taking appropriate action as required
10. provide support to the patient throughout the procedure
11. safely dispose of the blood bag and other equipment used in the transfusion process in accordance with current guidelines

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