Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 11, 2025
Treatment of Platelet Products with Riboflavin and UV Light: Effectiveness Against High Titer Bacterial Contamination
Published on: August 24, 2015
Can a Checklist Facilitate Recognition of a Transfusion-Associated Adverse Event by Prelicensure Nurses?
Sue S Scott1, Marcia Scanlon, Michele McKelvey
1Author Affiliations: Associate Professor (Dr Scott) and Professor and Chairperson (Dr Scanlon), School of Nursing, Westfield State University, Westfield, Massachusetts; Associate Professor (Dr McKelvey), School of Nursing, Central Connecticut State University, New Britain; Chief Executive Officer (Dr Nathanson), OptiStaTim, Longmeadow, Massachusetts; and Medical Director (Dr Andrzejewski), Baystate Health Transfusion Medicine Services, Springfield, Massachusetts.
Background:
Early identification of a transfusion-associated adverse event (TAAE) is key to patient safety. Research has indicated that use of a TAAE checklist resulted in greater frequency of TAAE recognition behaviors.
Purpose:
To explore whether use of a TAAE checklist resulted in greater frequency of TAAE recognition behaviors among nursing students.
Methods:
A prospective, randomized controlled study was conducted with 62 nursing students playing the role of a registered nurse in a simulation of a patient exhibiting clinical indicators of a TAAE. Subjects were randomly assigned to have or not have a TAAE checklist. Time to recognition of the TAAE was measured.
Results:
The checklist group (CG) identified TAAEs on average 4 minutes sooner than the non-CG ( P < .001). CG subjects were also significantly less likely to miss TAAEs completely.
Conclusions:
A checklist may improve the safety of transfusions by promoting earlier recognition and treatment of TAAEs.
Related Concept Videos
01:15Blood Transfusion
Blood Transfusion Overview
A blood transfusion is a medical procedure used to replace blood lost due to injury, surgery, or to treat conditions such as anemia or cancer. During a transfusion, donor blood is...
01:22Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
01:26Cardiac Catheterization IV: Nursing Management
01:18Guidelines and Strategies for Safe Computer Charting
Maintain Confidentiality and Security:
01:17Flow Sheet
Here's a closer look at the examples of flowsheets commonly used by nurses:
Graphic Sheet Documentation:
01:10Pre-Procedural Guidelines for Assessing Blood Pressure