Aid for patients receiving transfusion support – tips to help enhance transfusion safety
What can you do to stay safe?
1. Correct identification
Staff must check your identification (first name, surname, date of birth and unique
identification number; in Wales, you will be asked your home address as well) before blood
sampling and before transfusion. Accurate identification prevents transfusion errors and
wrong components from being transfused. You should challenge any healthcare worker who
does not ask and check your name and date of birth.
2. Bring any red cell antibody cards you may have been given in the past
It can help your treating team keep your records up to date and help you get blood that is appropriate for you.
3. Make sure your clinician knows about any allergic reactions or any adverse reactions you
have had to transfusions in the past. Also make sure that the clinician knows about any
special transfusion requirements you may have (e.g., need for irradiated blood
components)
This can help you to avoid getting a transfusion that could harm you.
4. Make sure your treating team are aware of your medications, especially blood thinners
and aspirin/related medications
Some of these medications may impact transfusion decisions.
5. Labelling of blood samples must be done accurately, in your presence and must be legible.
They must contain your identification details
Labelling errors can result in the sample being rejected by the transfusion laboratory and
you may need to attend for another blood test. There is also a risk of wrong transfusion if
samples aren’t labelled correctly. You should challenge any healthcare worker who takes a
sample but doesn’t label it by your side.
6. Ask for information about your planned transfusions in terms you can understand—both
when blood components for your transfusion are prescribed and when you get them
- What is the transfusion for?
- What blood component/s is/are being transfused?
- How is it going to be given and how long will it take for the transfusion?
- What side effects are likely? What do I do if they occur especially when I am back home?
- Are there any alternatives to transfusion?
- Are there any precautions that I need to be aware of?
7. Ask for written information about the transfusion which provides information about risks,
benefits, and alternatives. If you have any questions about the transfusion, ask
If you know what might happen, you will be better prepared if it does or if something
unexpected happens.
More information for patients is available on the JPAC website which can be accessed using the following link: Transfusion Information for Patients, where you can find information about receiving a blood transfusion across all 4 UK nations.
Also, several patient information leaflets about blood transfusions are available and can be
accessed using this link to the NHS Blood and Transplant patient leaflet page: Patient information leaflets – Hospitals and Science – NHSBT
8. Understand that “more” is not always better
It is a good idea to find out why a test or treatment including transfusion is needed and how
it can help you. Not all tests or transfusions are essential.
9. When the blood component is being connected prior to administration, ask is this what
has been prescribed/authorised for me
You should challenge any healthcare professional who has not checked your name and date
of birth, as stated by you, against the unit and the prescription.
10. You will be monitored regularly during your transfusion. Unless essential, routine
transfusions will be carried out during “normal working” hours
Ask for help if you feel unwell during a transfusion and speak up if you have any concerns regarding your transfusion and/or monitoring.
11. When you are being discharged from the hospital, ask your clinician to explain the
treatment and follow up plan after discharge
This includes information about any delayed complications, making sure you know when to
schedule follow-up appointments. Make sure a transfusion summary including any special
requirements and reactions you may have had are recorded in the discharge summary and
ask about it if it isn’t there.
12. If you have had a blood test, do not assume that no news is good news
Ask how and when you will get the results.
13. Learn about your condition and treatments by asking your doctor and nurse and by using
other reliable sources such as NHS fact sheets/websites
Please do not hesitate to speak up if you have any questions or concerns.
To view the full version of this document from SHOT with information on what to expect, and tips to make your transfusion easier and safer click here.
*The term “clinician” is used in this leaflet to refer to the person who helps you manage your health
care which could be a doctor, a nurse, midwife, or other trained healthcare worker.
Based on ‘Tips To Help Prevent Medical Errors: Patient Fact Sheet’. Content last reviewed November 2020. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD.
Patient leaflet
A leaflet for patients who may need a red cell, platelet or plasma transfusion. This leaflet was prepared by the UK and Ireland Blood Transfusion Network on behalf of the 4 UK Blood Services.
Receiving a blood transfusion leaflet (1MB pdf)
You can find more patient information leaflets from NHS Blood & Transplant.