From Patient Blood Management National Blood Authority:

Public Consultation Open – Single Unit Transfusion Flowchart

The draft Single Unit Transfusion Flowchart has been developed by an expert working group and the National Blood Authority (NBA) as a decision support tool designed to assist clinicians with appropriate prescribing of red blood cells. The International Society for Blood Transfusion defines single unit transfusion as “in the non-bleeding patient, single-unit transfusion refers to a standard dosing scheme of one unit of red blood cells, followed by an assessment of the patient’s signs and symptoms to determine whether additional units are indicated.”

A single unit transfusion policy can ensure the safety and efficacy of red blood cell transfusion by confirming every unit transfused is a clinical decision where the expected benefit outweighs the risks.

Implementing a single unit transfusion policy will help hospitals meet the National Safety and Quality Health Service Blood Management Standard. The Single Unit Transfusion Flow Chart will be available for download from the NBA website once finalised. 

The National Blood Authority invite interested individuals, groups and organisations to comment on the Flowchart and encourage you to advise your colleagues of its availability for public comment. The Flowchart will not be mandatory but available as a tool for Australian health providers implementing a single unit transfusion policy. 

The draft Flowchart and comments template are available on the NBA’s website at: http://www.blood.gov.au/public-consultation

The closing date for submissions is 5pm Friday 5 August 2022.