Using Integrated Care Pathways to Ensure Best Practice in Clinical Transfusion

Abstract

To influence and implement effective changes in clinical practice where a single discipline is involved can be challenging for any health care professional in any clinical setting. However, changing practice in the transfusion chain poses a greater challenge for practitioners mainly because of its multidisciplinary involvement. The transfusion chain involves as many as five different disciplines and up to 11 steps to accomplish its course effectively. Furthermore, the clinical risk implications of transfusion practice require careful planning and usage of appropriate tools to ensure optimum safety. Here, an integrated care pathway for adult blood transfusion is demonstrated as an effective tool in influencing such changes in clinical practice.