Ultimate Pre-Transfusion Bedside Check: Evaluation of Hospital Staff

Area of Science:

• Hematology
• Transfusion Medicine
• Patient Safety

Background:

• Blood transfusion involves transferring blood or its components.
• The pre-transfusion bedside test is a critical, mandatory safety check before transfusions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the theoretical and practical knowledge of medical and paramedical staff regarding the pre-transfusion bedside test.
• Focus on staff within the Adult Clinical Hematology department at Aziza Othmana Hospital (HAO).

Main Methods:

• A single-center descriptive study utilizing theoretical and practical assessments.
• Conducted in June 2024 among healthcare professionals in the specified department.

Main Results:

• While 98.4% verified patient identity, significant misconceptions existed regarding the test's role versus compatibility testing (3.2%) and ABO incompatibility detection (19.4%).
• 69.4% recognized the test as the final safety step, and 80.6% correctly identified physician responsibility, though awareness varied.
• All participants confirmed recipient identity matched grouping documents.

Conclusions:

• Staff in the Adult Clinical Hematology department at HAO exhibit an average theoretical and good practical understanding of the bedside test.
• Identified theoretical knowledge gaps highlight areas for targeted training to enhance transfusion safety protocols.