Education‐based interventions to minimize sampling errors in transfusion

Abstract

Background and ObjectivesSampling errors are an important preventable cause of incorrect blood component transfusion. A variety of measures designed to minimize ‘Wrong Blood in Tube’ errors have been published, but they are often costly and difficult to implement in resource‐limited settings. The aim of our study was to describe the impact of two education‐based interventions on the rate of transfusion sampling errors at our institution.Materials and MethodsWe prospectively collected data on transfusion sampling errors between 2001 and 2014. Sampling errors were categorized as types 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. The ‘Quest’ project focusing on the education of staff on transfusion sampling was carried out in 2001. We subsequently trained nurses to perform transfusion sampling in 2008.ResultsA total of 75 sampling errors were identified during the study period. The ‘Quest’ project resulted in a reduction in sampling errors as a percentage of all type and screen (T&S) specimens received. Sampling errors comprised 0·05% of total T&S specimens in 2001 compared to 0·01% in 2007 (P = 0·014). Between 2002 and 2014, sampling errors comprised a median 0·02% of total T&S specimens received. Training of nurses in T&S sampling resulted in a reduction of type 3 sampling errors from 0·02% in 2008 to 0 in 2013, (P = 0·01).ConclusionsOur study highlights that simple, education‐based measures can be highly effective at reducing the incidence of sampling errors. The interventions we describe maybe easily implemented in resource‐limited settings.