Transfusion audits - Current audits

Page contents: Clinical Audit of Platelet Use

Please note: for older audits see Previous audits

Clinical Audit of Platelet Use

Platelet transfusion is indicated for the prevention and treatment of haemorrhage in patients with thrombocytopenia or platelet function defects. Studies have shown variation in clinical practice in the transfusion of platelets.

The platelet count is the primary trigger for the use of platelets, with the risk of bleeding and the extent of bleeding also used as indicators for platelet transfusion.

Note should be taken of the National Health and Medical Research Council and Australian and New Zealand Society of Blood Transfusion guidelines for transfusion of platelets (NH&MRC/ANZSBT, 2001).

The Blood Matters Program wishes to work with hospitals to ensure that we:

a) Use blood components and products appropriately and effectively, and
b) Use alternative blood management strategies to limit the need for transfusion where clinically appropriate.

The Blood Matters Advisory Committee has identified the area of platelet use as an appropriate area for a targeted clinical audit in order to determine current practice across the State. The first platelet audit was conducted in 2007.

See information sheet below for more information.

Clinical Audit of Platelet Use Information Sheet (48kb, pdf)

Form: Clinical Audit of Platelet Use (42kb, pdf)

Data Submission for Platelets

Data entry is available via the online submission form. A platelet data entry guide has been developed to assist with online submission.

Platelet Audit Data Entry Guide (80kb, pdf)

Organisations without access to the web can forward hard copy audit forms to:

Blood Matters
Statewide Quality Branch
Department of Human Services
GPO Box 4057
Melbourne 3001

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