Western Hospital has implemented clinical risk systems for the safe and appropriate prescribing and clinical use of blood and blood products. Our Blood and Blood Product Management policies and procedures have been developed using best practice principles.

 

Some of the initiatives we have introduced include mandatory annual training and competencies in safe blood and blood product management for all of our clinical staff and the use of consent forms and patient information brochures to ensure patients are informed about the risks and benefits of using blood and blood products.

 

We also monitor and report  the way we receive,  store and return blood to ensure it remains safe to use,  and our blood usage is reported to assist in the national initiatives to reduce wastage of blood.