3. Involved Haematologists

Another key area identified by NSW Health Pathology – North (Hunter) laboratory staff as helping them achieve their impressive wastage rates is the strong support they receive from the haematology team.

There is a culture of empowerment for the laboratory at the John Hunter Hospital, the laboratory staff know and understand that their decisions and practices are supported by the haematology team. The haematologists do so by providing a 24 hour a day on call service for advice to laboratory and medical staff on the administration of blood and blood products.

The haematology team is also actively involved in the development and review of policies and procedures as well as being members of the hospital transfusion committee. One such policy that is supported by the haematologist team is the approval of every platelet infusion in the Hunter Valley region.  This allows the laboratory staff to feel supported in their decision to deny platelets to a clinician who has not gained approval from the haematologist, thereby improving the control the laboratory staff over their product and reducing both unnecessary transfusions, and wastage.

 

 

If you want to download this video to save it for later or can not access YouTube from your current location, download the video from the link below:

Download Transcript: