Education
National virtual education sessions
These free sessions, run by Regional Transfusion Committees, are for clinical and laboratory staff.
Please download these resources; resources you can order have a linked asterisk.
Guidance
For new Transfusion Practitioners
For experienced Transfusion Practitioners
Please note: both sets of guidance are under review and we would appreciate your feedback, please email your comments to nhsbt.customerservice@nhsbt.nhs.uk
Transfusing safely: procedures and essential checks
Blood components administration a quick reference guide
Do we know who you are? poster for patients
Do we know who you are? screensaver for patients
Do you know who they are? poster for staff
Do you know who they are? screensaver for staff
NBTC indication codes for transfusion bookmark
NBTC indication codes for transfusion poster
Pre-administration, blood component transfusion checking video on YouTube and e-LfH
Taking a blood sample for pre-transfusion compatibility testing poster
The pre-transfusion blood sampling process video on YouTube and e-LfH
The strange case of Penny Allison video on YouTube
eLearning
Anaemia
An anaemia package providing a straightforward introduction to anaemia with tailored modules for primary and secondary care, available certified and non-certified.
Maternal anaemia
A 2-part package introducing maternal anaemia and appropriate management (certified and non-certified).
Go to Maternal anaemia eLearning
Blood component use in Major Haemorrhage
There are 3 modules, for clinical and laboratory staff, covering the key aspects of transfusion support in Major Haemorrhage.
Go to Blood component use in Major haemorrhage elearning
New Blood Transfusion Training (BTT) elearning programme - from October 2022
The Blood Transfusion Training (BTT) elearning programme, developed and maintained by NHSBT, is available on elearning for healthcare (elfh), the Electronic staff record (ESR) and eIntegrity (search 'blood transfusion' in the learning catalogues). Functionality allowing hosting of the modules on local learning management systems is also available in AICC via elfh and eIntegrity.
The modules are as follows and the comparable learnbloodtransfusion (LBT) modules are also indicated.
- Essential Transfusion Practice (ETP)- replacing LBT Safe Transfusion Practice (STP) and STP paediatrics
- Good Manufacturing Practice
- Consent - replacing LBT Consent for Transfusion
- SHOT - Insights for Safer Transfusion, Human Factors and Ergonomics, Specific requirements for patients - the essentials
- Transfusion Reactions - replacing LBT Acute Transfusion Reactions
- Blood Components - replacing LBT Blood Components and Indications for Use
- Cell Salvage - replacing LBT learncellsalvage
- Introduction to Safer Transfusion Laboratory Practice - replacing Safe transfusion practice, laboratory
- Use of Anti-D Immunoglobulin in Pregnancy
To facilitate the required rapid development of the programme the modules were produced in a text and image format, but the content is current, accurate and maintained. Moving forward, we will be working with our colleagues across the UK and Ireland to rebuild them utilising the full functionality and interactivity the software provides.
The “collection” and “phlebotomy pathways” are not currently available (although the relevant content is included within ETP), but work is already in progress to review the ETP module and develop the following versions and pathways:
1) Adult full module
2) Paediatric full module
3) Requesting pathway
4) Sampling pathway
5) Collection pathway
6) Patient observation pathway
It is hoped these updated resources will be available early in the 2024/25 financial year.
Transfusion Associated Circulatory Overload (TACO)
Please refer to the SHOT website for TACO information and data.
Non medical authorisation of blood components
Clinical course
Non medical authorisation of blood components
The course costs £300 and is for senior nurses and midwives who are working towards making the clinical decision and providing the written instruction for blood component transfusion.
Resources
Policies and competency documents shared by Regional Transfusion Committees:
Hospice
This poster (please download, not available to order from the distribution hub) has been adapted and tailored to the specific requirements of hospice patients requiring transfusion. Produced in response to the National Comparative Audit of red blood cell transfusion in hospices 2016 and in collaboration with the staff from St Gemma’s Hospice, Leeds.
Paediatric and neonatal
Laboratory best transfusion practice for neonates, infants and children bookmark
Transfusion of blood components for infants and children bookmark
Transfusion of blood components for neonates bookmark
Specific requirements
Irradiated blood components poster
Irradiated blood components screensaver
Irradiated blood factsheet (PDF 289KB)
Irradiation indicator labels web page
Our other resources include:
Cryoprecipitate: information for healthcare professionals factsheet
Fresh frozen plasma: information for healthcare professionals factsheet
Is my blood transfusion necessary? poster
PBM toolkit - advice on implementing Patient Blood Management strategies in clinical practice
Apps
Blood Assist: blood component administration
This smartphone and web-based application summarises the key guidelines and recommendations for the safe administration of blood components. It is designed for use, at the bedside, at the time of transfusion.
It is available for NHS Trusts and individuals and is free to download:
- Google play and iTunes stores, search NHS Blood Assist
- As a web-based application www.bloodassist.co.uk
Please tell us what you think of the app, we'd appreciate your feedback.
Please use our poster and video to help promote our app to your colleagues.
Videos
An explanation of how Tranexamic Acid reduces bleeding on YouTube
BSH administration of blood components on YouTube
Having a blood transfusion on YouTube
Pre-administration blood component transfusion checking on YouTube and e-LfH
Pre-transfusion blood sampling process on YouTube and e-LfH
Setting up and performing a Manual Red Cell Exchange in Sickle Cell patients (less than 40kg) on YouTube; supporting documentation for patients weighing less than 40kg: Example 1 (Word 64KB) Example 2 (Word 92KB)
Setting up and performing a Manual Red Cell Exchange in Sickle Cell patients (40kg and more) on YouTube; supporting documentation for patients weighing more than 40kg: Example 1(Word 67KB) Example 2 (Word 57KB)
The strange case of Penny Allison on YouTube
Websites
Serious Hazards of Transfusion (SHOT)