Quality Assessment in Transfusion Services: Ensuring Patient Safety and Outcomes

By Tracie Nichols, MS, MLS(ASCP)SBB; Tina Chanez, MBA, MT(ASCP), CQA(ASQ); Mary Harach, CQA(ASQ), MT(ASCP); Kristy Jones, CMQ/OE, CQA(ASQ), MT(ASCP)SBB; Vaanush Nazaryan, MBA, SBB(ASCP), CPHQ; Patrick Ooley, MS, MT(ASCP), CQA(ASQ)CMQ/OE; and Ljiljana Vladimira Vasovic, MD, for the Transfusion Medicine Section Coordinating Committee

Regular assessments of transfusion service processes are crucial in maintaining a robust program focused on patient outcomes and safety. A comprehensive quality assessment can help prevent mistransfusions and other serious non-infectious hazards of transfusion. Through diligent monitoring, identification, reporting, and rebuilding of problematic systems that put patients at risk, healthcare professionals can achieve this goal.

A Comprehensive Approach to Quality Assessment

A quality assessment program for transfusion services should begin with the institution’s quality plan and involve a step-by-step analysis of the transfusion process or system. This includes:

• Reviewing procedures such as blood bank, nursing, and operating room operations
• Assessing staff education and training
• Evaluating blood component ordering and patient consent processes
• Examining sample collection and compatibility testing procedures
• Monitoring blood administration and transfusion documentation
• Identifying and managing adverse events and transfusion reactions
• Analyzing blood utilization patterns
• Implementing effective incident and deviation management strategies

Valuable Resources for Quality Assessment

This guide provides useful tools to support quality assessment efforts, including:

• A risk scale for major hazards
• A blood ordering flowchart
• A sample gap analysis of blood administration

These resources can help healthcare professionals develop a robust quality assessment program, ensuring the delivery of safe and effective transfusion services to patients.

DIGITAL EDITION: AABB, 2021, digital, illus, 31 pages