This course covers safe blood transfusion practice in UK hospitals, from deciding whether a transfusion is needed through to monitoring the patient and managing reactions. It draws on NICE guideline NG24, British Society for Haematology guidance and the learning published by Serious Hazards of Transfusion (SHOT), with a focus on the points where errors most often happen.
What you will learn
- Apply NICE NG24 principles to decide whether a red cell transfusion is indicated, including restrictive thresholds and single-unit transfusion.
- Obtain valid consent for transfusion and give patients the information they need.
- Carry out positive patient identification at sampling, collection and administration, and explain why wrong blood in tube errors are dangerous.
- Monitor a patient during transfusion and recognise the signs of acute transfusion reactions, including transfusion-associated circulatory overload.
- Take the correct immediate actions when a reaction is suspected, and report incidents through local systems, SHOT and SABRE.
Course content
- Why transfusion safety matters (2 min)
- Deciding to transfuse (3 min)
- Consent and information (2 min)
- Positive patient identification at every step (3 min)
- Administration and monitoring (2 min)
- Recognising and managing transfusion reactions (4 min)
- Emergencies and special requirements (2 min)
- Knowledge check (10 questions, 10 min)
- Guided reflection (15 min)
Standards and guidance covered
- NICE guideline NG24: Blood transfusion (2015) and quality standard QS138
- British Society for Haematology: Guideline on the administration of blood components (2017) and guidance on pre-transfusion compatibility procedures
- Serious Hazards of Transfusion (SHOT): annual reports and safety recommendations
- Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs (SaBTO): Patient consent and shared decision-making for blood transfusion (first published 2020, updated 2025)
- Blood Safety and Quality Regulations 2005 (as amended), including traceability and haemovigilance reporting
- GMC: Good Medical Practice (2024) and Decision making and consent; NMC: The Code (2015, updated 2018)
Certificate
Courses are free to study. When you pass the knowledge check (80%) and complete your reflection, you can buy a verified certificate showing your CPD time, with a unique ID and QR code that anyone can check on our verification page.
Study free at your own pace on any device.
Practitioner Insight is an independent education provider. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the GMC, MPTS, NMC, HCPC, GPhC or any NHS organisation, and this information is not legal advice. If you have been referred to a regulator, speak to your defence organisation, trade union or legal representative.