Blood Transfusion Awareness

This course provides learners who are not directly involved in the blood transfusion process with a broad understanding of topics such as blood groups, when blood transfusions may be clinically required, the risks and benefits of blood transfusions and the alternative treatments available.

Upon completion of this course, the learner will be able to:

• Name the different blood groups and describe why it is important that people get the correct blood group in a blood transfusion.
• List different types of blood products and name at least one purpose of each type of blood product
• Describe how someone’s blood group is determined.
• Explain why blood transfusions are sometimes clinically necessary.
• Briefly describe the risks and benefits associated with blood transfusions.
• Describe alternatives to blood transfusions – for example, oral iron tablets.
• Briefly describe the process associated with collecting a blood sample, collecting a blood bag from the blood storage point and administering it to a patient – including key checks clinical staff must make and why.
• Briefly describe the concerns patients may have about receiving a blood transfusion.
• Explain why it is important to gain the patient’s consent for a blood transfusion and the reasons why some patients may refuse this treatment.

This course consists of the following modules:

• Blood Transfusion Awareness
• Assessment