Activities of Nurses in Patient Care during Blood Transfusions

Abstract

The relevance of topic: According to the World Health Organization, about 118.5 million blood components are used each year. According to the UK Blood Transfusion and Tissue Transplant Centre (2020), around 1 in 13,000 units of blood components are transfused into the wrong patient and up to 1 in 1,300 blood samples are taken from the wrong patient before transfusion. Mistakes can be avoided through good practice. The nurse plays a key role in blood transfusion. At all stages of the transfusion process, nurses have different roles and responsibilities. Study subject: General practice nurses performing blood transfusions. The theme of the research: To evaluate nurses' activities inpatient care in blood transfusion. Objectives of the research: 1. To define the concept of blood transfusion and the activities that must be performed by the nurse during a blood transfusion. 2. To identify nurses' knowledge and actions to be taken during the blood transfusion process. 3. To determine how the activities performed by nurses affect the care of patients during a blood transfusion. Methods of research: Following the analysis of the scientific literature, a quantitative research instrument - a questionnaire survey - was developed, which consisted of 28 questions. The survey data took place in December 2021. The questionnaire was answered online on the website Apklausa.lt. The study involved an anonymous questionnaire survey of 61 nurses. Results: 91.8% (N=56) would like to receive additional training on blood transfusion, the technique of performing the procedure, and patient monitoring during the procedure. 95.1% (N=58) of nurses store empty component bags but 12,1% (N=11) do not know how to store properly. Less than half of the nurses were unaware of the type of blood transfusion and the principles involved when performing a biological sample. Conclusion: Blood transfusion has been and will continue to be a very important procedure to save a person's life. The study shows that nurses have sufficient knowledge about blood transfusion and its performance, but some knowledge should be improved to avoid adverse reactions or mistakes. Nurses' actions can affect patient care, which is why nurses need to continuously improve and update their knowledge to avoid harm. Nurses expressed their willingness to attend additional courses to become more professional.