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Consent Patient Information - Adult Patient Information - Paediatric
Prescription Form NHMRC guidelines  

 

Consent

ALL patients receiving a transfusion of red blood cells, platelets, fresh frozen plasma and cryoprecipitate shall provide written consent on the Blood Transfusion form M109.0. Prior to blood transfusion, staff should ensure that the patient has given written consent. The date of any previous consent to blood transfusion shall be documented on the consent form M109.0. This can be used as a guide to locate a previous consent and determine validity.

PDF Blood Transfusion form M109.0

PDF Blood Consent Instructions


Frequency of Consent

Acute patients: For patients receiving a blood transfusion associated with surgery or a medical condition, consent is valid for the admission.

Chronic patients: Patients whose treatment program involves regular blood transfusion e.g. haematology, oncology, renal, liver unit, consent is valid for 12 months.  Consent shall be reviewed earlier if alternative treatments become available or new risks associated with the supply of blood are identified.

Emergency Transfusions: will be administered if there is no evidence that the patient has objected to blood transfusion.


Patients who Refuse Blood Components and Blood Products

Some patients refuse blood and blood products, in particular, Jehovah’s Witnesses have specific religious beliefs regarding transfusion and their acceptance of particular products may vary (e.g. albumin may be acceptable). A fully informed, competent adult patient is entitled to decide to accept medical treatment or not. Refer to hospital policy on the Management of Patients who Refuse Blood and Blood Products


Clinician Responsibilities

Medical officers are responsible for obtaining and documenting informed consent to blood transfusion.

Nursing staff are responsible for ensuring there is evidence of written consent prior to blood transfusion and notifying the medical officer is there is any change in the patient’s wishes.


Guide to Informing Patients of Blood Transfusion

  1. Explain the reason for blood transfusion
  2. Explain the type of blood component/product and expected outcome
  3. Explain the risks of transfusion. See link to the Transfusion Medicine Manual below
  4. Available alternatives
  5. Provide a patient information brochure, available in multiple languages. See links below.
  6. Provide the patient with an opportunity to ask questions
  7. Document the consent on the Blood Transfusion form M109.0


Risks associated with Transfusion

Transfusion Medicine Manual Blood Service
 

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Patient Information - Adult

Austin Health Patient Information Site

PDF Patient information - ENGLISH

PDF Patient information - ARABIC

PDF Patient information - CROATIAN

PDF Pateint information - GREEK

PDF Patient information - ITALIAN

PDF Patient information - KOREAN

PDF Patient information - SPANISH

PDF Patient information - TURKISH

PDF Patient information - VIETNAMESE

alt Albumex 4 Consumer Information

alt Albumex 20 Consumer Information


 

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Patient Information - Paediatric

PDF Billy Blood Drop

PDF Parent's Guide

 

Policy Links

Management of Patient who Refuse Blood and Blood Products

Consent (Informed) to Diagnosis and Treatment

 

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Prescription Form

Prescribing a blood component or blood product transfusion is the responsibility of the medical officer or a nurse practitioner if included within their scope of practice.

ALL blood transfusions, including blood products e.g. Albumin, Immunoglobulins and Factor Concentrates, shall be prescribed on the Blood Transfusion form M109.0.

PDF Blood Transfusion form M109.0

Prescription for blood transfusion shall include:

  1. Patient's FULL name, UR number and date of birth
  2. Type of blood component/product, including modification i.e. irradiation, CMV negative
  3. Dose. Do not abbreviate the word "unit".
  4. Duration of transfusion.  Do not use the acronym app (as per protocol).
  5. Additional instructions. If medication is required before or during the transfusion episode, this must be prescribed on the hospital medication chart.
  6. The prescriber's signature and name
 

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NHMRC Guidelines

Austin Health has endorsed the use of the Clinical Practice Guidelines on the use of blood components, developed by the NHMRC/ANZSBT.  See Blood Component Transfusion clinical guideline.

Click the link for further information about blood components and products.

 
 

Disclaimer

The information and guidelines presented on this website has been prepared primarily for use by staff of Austin Health. The information is based on current medical knowledge and practice as at the date of publication. The information is intended as a general guide only and is not intended to set out a standard of medical care or to be used as a substitute for professional advice as the individual circumstances of each patient will vary.

While care has been taken in the preparation of these materials we make no representation that the materials are complete or free from errors. Austin Health accepts no liability for loss or injury flowing from the use or misuse of these materials.

Austin Health provides links on this site that lead to resources located on servers maintained by third parties over whom the Austin Health has no control. Austin Health makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, as to the accuracy or any other aspect of the information or content in such sites.
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