In recent years, projects such as the United Kingdom's 'Serious Hazards of Transfusion' have shown there are problems in processes of transfusion within hospitals that could lead to the increased morbidity or mortality of patients.
Many, if not all, of the issues identified in the SHOT report can be found in any hospital in the developed world, including Australia.
Three states have already started to look closely at safety and quality of the transfusion process. These have been collaborative projects involving Departments of Health, public hospitals and the ARCBS. The three projects are (in order of start up) BTIC (NSW) now known as Blood Watch, Blood Matters (VIC) and BloodSafe (SA).
These project teams have identified weaknesses in the transfusion process and have tried to address the problems through raising awareness of the problems and the provision of training, educational materials and support materials.
You can use the materials freely but they must not be sold on to anyone. You may also use the concept or part of the material in your own versions providing you acknowledge the group that created the documents.
Remember - Safe Transfusion begins with YOU!