Ten years of transfusion practitioners and better blood transfusion in Scotland

Abstract

After the Department of Health's Better Blood Transfusion recommendations ( DH 2002 ) ten years ago, a network of 18 transfusion practitioners supported by a central team in the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service was established. This article discusses the impact that transfusion practitioners in Scotland have had in driving local transfusion teams to promote safe and effective transfusion practice across Scotland. They have done this through education, audit and raising awareness of current guidelines.

The Evolving Role of the Transfusion Practitioner

“…Transfusion-related education has evolved to include the development of self-directed online learning. The advantages of elearning include flexibility and the ability to engage the learner in interaction and assessments to ascertain understanding of the content [6]. Many online education sessions also allow authors of the packages (in this situation the TP) and managers to see records of staff who have completed the training.…”

“…Transfusion practitioner networks in Scotland have significantly contributed to the development and review of massive hemorrhage template by the Clinical Transfusion Advisory Committee. Ideally, the TP network, along with the Clinical Transfusion Advisory Committee, will be able to further encourage the sharing of information to achieve a more uniform approach to policies and procedures in Scotland [6].…”

“…By late 2003, 18 TPs were based throughout Scotland supported by the Scottish National Blood Transfusions Service [6]. The TP in Scotland is usually a senior nurse or biomedical scientist with a broad remit and who reviews training performance to ensure only competent staff participate in the transfusion process with the aim that "blood is used safely and effectively into the future in a changing healthcare system" [6].…”

“…Learn Blood Transfusion is now recommended and supported by SHOT and the UK Blood Services. In July 2013, 80% of staff in NHS Scotland, who require transfusion training, had been trained [6].…”