Challenges and opportunities to prevent transfusion errors: a Qualitative Evaluation for Safer Transfusion (QUEST).

Background: One of the most frequent causes of transfusion-associated morbidity or mortality is the transfusion of the wrong blood to the wrong patient. This problem persists in spite of the incorporation of numerous procedures into the pretransfusion checking process in an effort to improve patient safety. A qualitative study was undertaken to understand this process from the perspective of those who administer blood products and to identify concerns and suggestions to improve safety.

A policy informing qualitative study to improve the process of blood product recalls and withdrawals.

Background: Challenges associated with blood product recalls and/or withdrawals in Canada identified a need to understand the process and identify ways in which it could be improved. With the use of qualitative techniques and a modified grounded theory approach, the current process was mapped, issues were identified, and recommendations to improve the system were developed.

Study Design And Methods: Potential participants were identified using a sampling strategy that included key stakeholder groups.