Introduction to Transfusion of Blood Components
and Products Policy and Procedures
August 2014
Contributors: Transfusion of Blood Components and Products policy and procedure
Toolkit Development team.
New AHS Policy
In the 4th quarter of 2014, AHS will release a new policy
titled Transfusion of Blood Components and Products.
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Why a new policy?
• Reinforces current practice
• Facilitates the safe transfusion of
patients in AHS
• Transfusion of a blood component is a
“liquid transplant”, and does pose risk
to patients.
• A provincial standard will aid in meeting
Provincial and National requirements for
documented evidence of initial training
and ongoing competency for personnel
involved in Transfusion.
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Development
• A collaborative working group consisting of
transfusion medicine, clinical, policy and
medical personnel was formed in Aug. 2013
to draft the policy and procedures.
• Stakeholder consultation via targeted
electronic survey was completed in March
2014.
• Overwhelming support in favour of the policy
and procedure was received.
• A sub group was struck to develop the toolkit
to aid in implementation of the policy and
procedure.
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Objectives of Policy
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Consistent experience for the patient
Improve patient safety
Standardization of processes
Appropriate and effective utilization of blood
components and blood products
 Clarity in roles & responsibility
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Procedures
• 2 procedures have been developed to support the new
policy:
– Transfusion of Blood Components and Products –
Adult Acute
– Transfusion of Blood Components and Products –
Pediatric/Neonate Acute
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Objectives of Procedures
• Consistent, defined practices to ensure safe transfusion
of all patients.
• Ensure the right product is given to the right patient.
• Provide protection for the blood component and
products, a valuable and limited resource.
• Monitor the transfusion process and provide a feedback
mechanism that helps ensure the quality and safety of
the blood supply.
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AHS Policy Statement
Alberta Health Services is committed to promoting a safe,
effective process for acute care patients requiring blood
components and products.
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Policy Elements
• The policy elements standardize the following for blood
components and products:
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Informed written (signed) consent for transfusion
Transfusion competency
Collection of pre-transfusion specimens
Obtaining and verifying
Administration and monitoring
Adverse events/reactions
Documentation of transfusion
Patient notification
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Policy Elements – Whose Responsibility?
All AHS Health Care Practitioners who are involved in any
aspect of transfusion medicine are responsible to:
• Be aware of the policy and procedures, and read them.
• Understand their individual roles and responsibilities as
identified in the policy and procedures.
• Complete the staff education modules.
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Toolkit resources
In addition to the Policy and Procedures,
the resources suite includes:
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Key Elements
Learning Module
PowerPoint presentation(s)
Patient education
Zone specific resources
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Where Can I find the Policy Suite/ Associated
Resources
• The Transfusion of Blood Components and Products
Policy suite will be found on the Clinical Policy web
page.
• This Power Point presentation along with the rest of the
toolkit to support this policy suite can be found through
the policy web page or directly from this link: (insert link)
• The staff education modules will be available on
MyLearningLink, or through manual download.
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Questions
Contact: practice.consultation@albertahealthservices.ca
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