Clinical skills
Patient Blood Management Guidelines
Why are you transfusing?
Documentation of consent
Obtain consent for blood products
3.1 Requirements for blood product prescription
patient identification details: family name and given name, gender, date of birth
(DOB) and unique patient identification number if available
date, timing and urgency of the transfusion
appropriate and consistent terminology for the blood product to be administered
the route of administration
the number of units or dose of blood product to be given, using appropriate units of
measure (e.g. number of packs, volume in millilitres, units or weight in grams); blood
component volumes should be stated in millilitres for maternity patients (i.e. those
<20kg).
the duration over which the blood product is to be administered 33 Section 3
Prescription of blood products 16
special instructions; for example, use of a blood warmer, or any medication required
before or after the transfusion
legibly written name and signature of the prescriber, and a contact telephone number
or pager number, and a Medicare provider number, in accordance with health service
policies.
6.2.2 Priming and connecting blood administration sets
When priming and connecting blood administration sets: o the blood product should be
mixed thoroughly by gentle inversion before use
it is not necessary to prime the blood administration set with anything other than the
blood component, although the blood administration set may be primed with 0.9%
sodium chloride
the manufacturer’s recommendations must be followed when priming the blood
administration.
