Management of blood products: Nursing knowledge and practices at an academic hospital.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the knowledge and practice of nurses at an academic hospital regarding the handling of red blood cells (RBCs) and platelets.

Methods: A descriptive study was performed using a paper-based questionnaire. Nurses from 12 wards where these products are frequently transfused were purposefully selected to participate.

Results: Ninety-nine questionnaires were analysed. While 78.9 % respondents reported that their knowledge regarding the handling of RBCs and platelets was adequate, 81.7 % still stated that they would like more training on this subject. Almost half (45.2 %) reported that the time of arrival of RBCs and platelets on the ward was not charted, while 25.5 % indicated that they warm all these blood products before transfusion. About eighty percent (80.8 %) did not know where to store platelets in the ward and 37.4 % knew the average duration of a platelet transfusion. The term, blood on returnable basis was correctly interpreted by 6.1 % of respondents.

Conclusion: Gaps exist in the knowledge and practice of nursing staff regarding the correct handling of RBCs and platelets, specifically discarding, storage and warming of these products. Addressing such gaps would improve patient care and contribute towards patient blood management.