UK Transfusion Laboratory Collaborative: Recommended minimum standards for hospital transfusion laboratories

Abstract

The Serious Hazards of Transfusion (SHOT) Adverse Incident Reporting Scheme (SHOT Annual Reports, 1996–2008) has consistently reported that 30–40% of ‘wrong blood’ event errors are due to errors originating in the hospital blood transfusion laboratory with a disproportionate number occurring outside ‘core hours'. Evidence collated from two national surveys (Summary of Two National Surveys of UK Transfusion Laboratories, http://www.ibms.org/index.cfm?method=science.transfusion_science) of UK Transfusion Laboratories has formed the basis for the following recommendations aimed at reducing blood transfusion laboratory errors by 50% by 30 September 2012. The collaborative recommendations are intended to encourage effective and appropriate use of technology and staff in hospital transfusion laboratories within the framework of current legislative requirements. These recommendations will help hospitals and trusts in achieving the minimum standards of proficiency and practice set by The Health Professions Council (HPC) (HPC Standards of Proficiency, 2004) and as required by the UK Blood Safety and Quality Regulations (as amended) (BSQR 2005). The collaborative recognises that not all existing hospital transfusion laboratory structures may currently meet all of these recommendations. However, hospitals and trusts will be expected to work towards these recommendations if transfusion services are reconfigured, as new posts are established or new staff members are appointed. It is recommended that appropriate staff currently in post who do not hold one of the qualifications listed in recommendation 3.1 must demonstrate equivalence to the learning outcomes of an Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) Higher Specialist Diploma in Transfusion Science or an IBMS accredited MSc in Transfusion and Transplantation to meet recommendations 3.4 and 3.6 below. It is recommended that appropriate staff currently in post who do not hold one of the qualifications listed in recommendation 3.2 must have their competency assessed against the learning outcomes of one of these qualifications before undertaking lone-working to meet recommendations 3.4 and 3.6 below.