Record a transfusion and a reaction

Record the bedside transfusion of an issued unit with vitals before, at 15 minutes and after, and log any transfusion reaction for haemovigilance.

When an issued unit is given to the patient, record the transfusion against it. If the patient reacts, log the reaction on the same record so it reaches the reaction register and the monthly return.

Before you begin

• Your role needs Record Transfusions & Reactions. See Users & Roles.
• The unit was issued on the request. See Cross-match and issue blood.

Where to find it

Open Blood Bank → Work → Blood Requests, click the request and scroll to Issued units & transfusion record.

Record the transfusion

1. Click Record transfusion on the issued unit.
2. Check Started and fill in Ended.
3. Type the Nurse.
4. Enter BP, Pulse, Temp and RR for Pre, 15 min and Post.
5. Enter the Volume given (ml).
6. Choose the Outcome: Completed, or Stopped if the transfusion was stopped.
7. Add Remarks and click Save record.

The unit becomes Transfused. When transfused units reach the units requested, the request becomes Completed. Click 🖨 Transfusion Record to print it with nurse and doctor signature lines.

Record a reaction

1. Click ⚠ Reaction on the transfused unit.
2. Choose the Type: febrile, allergic, haemolytic, trali, taco, anaphylactic, bacterial or other.
3. Choose the Severity: Mild, Moderate, Severe or Fatal.
4. Check Occurred at.
5. Describe the Symptoms, the Action taken and the Investigation, for example a clerical check and repeat grouping.
6. Tick Reported to PBTA once you have reported it.
7. Click Record reaction.

Any reaction worse than mild marks the transfusion Stopped. The reaction appears under the unit, on the dashboard's Reactions (month) tile and in the Adverse Reaction Record on Registers & PBTA Return.

Common questions

The Record transfusion button is missing. The unit was returned, or a transfusion is already recorded for it. Each issued unit has one transfusion record.

Can a unit be returned after the transfusion started? No. Once a transfusion is recorded the unit cannot be returned.

Can I record two reactions on one transfusion? Yes. Click ⚠ Reaction again. Each one is listed under the unit.