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Audits conducted by Blood Matters that benchmark results can be used to improve policies and procedures, to help health services provide best practice in blood management and transfusion practice.
The audits can help health services meet the requirements of the Australian Quality and Safety in Healthcare Standards, the Blood Management Standard (7).
Blood Matters audits
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Pretransfusion specimen collection errors can result in serious consequences for patients and therefore require investigation and strategies to reduce the risks of these events.
The Blood Matters 2026 audit aims to identify if health service and laboratory policies and procedures for pretransfusion specimen collection and testing are consistent with The Australian and New Zealand Society for Blood Transfusion (ANZSBT) Guidelines for the administration of blood products 3rd edition (2024) and Guidelines for transfusion and immunohaematology laboratory practice 2nd edition (2025).
The audit will include a policy assessment and a review of pretransfusion specimen collection and rejection data to determine rejection rates, causes, and the associated investigation and reporting processes.
Pretransfusion specimen collection and rejection audit instructionsPretransfusion specimen collection and rejection audit instructionsPretransfusion specimen collection and rejection audit toolPretransfusion specimen collection and rejection audit tool -
The aim of the audit is to identify if health service blood administration policies and practices are consistent with the ANZSBT guidelines for the administration of blood products 3rd edition (2024).
Pretransfusion checking audit 2025Pretransfusion checking audit 2025The audit is conducted in 2 parts:
- Part A – a desk top audit of the blood administration policy, specifically the pretransfusion checking procedure.
Part A - pretransfusion checking policyPart A - pretransfusion checking policy- Part B – observation of the pretransfusion patient identification and blood component check prior to administration.
Part B - pretransfusion checking observational auditPart B - pretransfusion checking observational auditData entry is to be completed from 1 March to 12 May 2025 via REDcap.
A data collection tool can be printed to assist in the collection of data at the bedside prior to entry into REDcap.
Printable pretransfusion data collection toolContact Blood Matters if you are experiencing problems entering data or if you have questions. Call 03 9694 0102 or email bloodmatters@redcrossblood.org.au.
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- The Blood Matters audit for 2024 is the indications for the use of O RhD negative red cells.
- The demand for group O RhD negative red blood cells (RBC) remains higher than the proportion of the population who is O RhD negative.
- Australian Red Cross Lifeblood provide guidance on appropriate use of group O RhD negative red cells at Use of group O RhD negative red cells | .
- The audit tool aims to document the use of O RhD negative red blood cells and compare the patient characteristics against the Lifeblood guidelines.
- Data entry will be open from 1 May to 14 June 2024.
- Both tabs "Policy" and "Usage" of the Excel data collection spreadsheet are to be completed.
- Completed data is to be returned by 14 June 2024 via email to bloodmatters@redcrossblood.org.au
Audit of Group O RhD negative RBC instructionsAudit of Group O RhD negative RBC instructionsO neg audit tool -
The 2023 Blood Matters audit is the appropriate use of fresh frozen plasma (FFP), in accordance with the National Blood Authority Patient Blood Management Guidelines and Australian Red Cross Lifeblood (Lifeblood) - Use of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) - .
The audit has been developed in conjunction with Lifeblood, the National Blood Transfusion Committee and Blood Matters, to gain an understanding of FFP use in adult patients across health services and assess if use is in accordance with current guidelines.
- The audit will be open from 1 April to 30 June 2023.
- Audit instructions and definitions:
Blood Matters - fresh frozen plasma (FFP) audit instructionsBlood Matters - fresh frozen plasma (FFP) audit instructions- FFP data collection tool:
Blood matters - fresh frozen plasma data collection tool- Data entry is electronic using Lifeblood Audit
- Please complete the audit and email the data via Blood Matters as outlined in the instructions by 1 July 2023.
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The audit determines if blood transfusion consent policy and practice has changed. The results will be compared to those of a similar audit conducted in 2012.
It consists of two parts:
- Part A is a blood transfusion consent policy review
- Part B is an audit of blood transfusion consent practice (a retrospective medical record audit of up to 30 patients who have received a blood component transfusion).
The audit was open from 27 June to 12 August 2022.
Part A: Data entry
Part B: Data entryThe documents below can assist with data collection and submission:
Audit instructions and definitions
Consent audit instructionsConsent audit instructionsConsent audit questions
Consent audit questionsConsent audit questionsPart B data collection tool
Part B data collection toolPart B data collection toolFor best data entry experience, it is recommended to use Chrome. If you only have Microsoft Edge or Explorer, ensure you have the web browser screen maximised to full screen.
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The survey will be open from 2 August - 24 September 2021
Limited information is available about the implementation and use of electronic medical records (EMR) with regard to blood management and transfusion practice. This survey will help develop an understanding of current design and implementation of EMRs specific to blood management and transfusion practice.
The survey is designed to identify, the number of health services with an electronic medical record (EMR) and the level of staff participation in the design, development and implementation of the EMR, as well as the clinical quality and safety achieved by using an EMR.
The survey is designed to be completed by different staff in varying roles within the health service. The staff member may or may not have been directly involved in the design and implementation.
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This audit has been designed to assess the compliance of practice to the PBM guidelines: Module 2 related to the assessment and management of reversible anaemia prior to elective surgery, and blood conservation strategies used intraoperatively to reduce postoperative anaemia.
To assist with data collection and submission, please see attached documents:
- Audit instructions and definitions
Audit - Perioperative anaemia assessment and management in elective surgical procedures – preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative.- Data collection tool
Perioperative anaemia audit collection toolFor best data entry experience, it is recommended to use Chrome. If you only have Explorer, ensure you have the web browser in Maximise (full screen) rather than “restored down”.
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This survey has been designed to determine what processes are in place within health services to assess anaemia in the perioperative patient undergoing elective procedures in which substantial blood loss is anticipated.
The survey requires an upload of your preoperative assessment template, if applicable. It is suggested you have the file ready in a PDF, doc or docx format before commencing data entry.
2020 - Preoperative anaemia assessment and management in elective surgical procedures survey2020 Preoperative anaemia assessment and management in elective surgical procedures survey2020 preoperative anaemia assessment and management in elective surgical procedures survey report -
For every 100 mL of blood withdrawn for sampling, there is a decrease of 7 g/L in haemoglobin. A reduction in iatrogenic blood loss reduces the risk of anaemia and potentially the need for blood transfusion (NBA 2018). The use of micro-sampling has been shown to significantly reduce the volume of blood loss and has been associated with a significant reduction in blood transfusion (Tinmouth 2008). Implementing strategies to reduce iatrogenic blood loss in an organisation requires strategic planning, communication and implementation with relevant stakeholders such as medical staff, laboratory scientist and nursing staff.
In 2017, Blood Matters undertook a snapshot audit of health service policies and practises that could minimise iatrogenic anaemia associated with blood sampling. This audit builds on the 2017 audit to identify changes in policy and practice, and to assess total blood volume taken from patients for samples (testing & discard).
This audit comprises of two parts:
Part A: Desktop audit of policy and procedures - Audit questions
2019-Blood-Sampling-Policy2019_BloodSampling_PolicyPart B: Bedside prospective audit of practice – of all patients in one selected clinical area for one week (7 days)
Bedside data collection tool
2019 Blood Sampling Bedside Cumulative Tool v22019 Blood Sampling Bedside Cumulative Tool v2Excel data entry
Further instructions for this audit can be downloaded here.
Blood Sampling - Introduction and instructionsBlood Sampling - Introduction and instructions -
This audit is accredited for a total of 40 QI points in the RACGP QI&CPD 2017-2019 triennium. In order to qualify for points, GPs will be required to complete Parts 1 and 2 of the audit and the Evaluation and QI activity.
This audit is complete.
General practice audit of preoperative anaemia – background, instructions and audit questionsPart 2 Data collection toolRACGP GP feedback form -
The administration of prophylactic RhD Ig to pregnant RhD negative women results in a significant reduction in the incidence of Rh isoimmunisation, leading to a reduction in the risk of haemolytic disease of the newborn, a potentially fatal consequence.
Since January 2015, RhD Ig administration errors have been reportable to Blood Matters serious transfusion incident reporting system (STIR). Common error themes include:
- omission of prophylactic RhD Ig doses; increasing risk for future pregnancies
- administration of RhD Ig inappropriately; exposing women to an unnecessary blood product.
This audit aims to review the policies, procedures, and practices to assess compliance with the current "Guidelines for the use of RhD immunoglobulin in obstetrics in Australia".
RhD Ig audit: Introduction and instructionsRhD Ig audit: Part 1 - Policy audit data collection toolRhD Ig audit: Part 2 - Practice audit data collection toolRhD immunoglobulin (Ig) in obstetrics audit report 2018RhD immunoglobulin (Ig) in obstetrics audit report 2018 -
The supply of group O RhD negative red blood cells (RBC) units to Australian health services is an ongoing challenge.
Approximately 9 per cent of the Australian population is group O RhD negative, while the demand for O RhD negative units by health services is 15 per cent of total RBC issues. This is expected to a certain degree, due to it being a 'universal' blood group given justifiably to some non-Group O RhD negative recipients, for example in emergencies before the patient's blood group is known. However, it must be acknowledged that group O RhD negative blood is a limited resource and must be used wisely.
The Australian Red Cross Lifeblood Guidelines for the Use of Group O RhD negative red blood cells provide recommendations for the use of Group O RhD negative red blood cells in order to conserve stocks and ensure availability for those patients for whom there is no alternative.
The aim of this audit is to determine how Blood Matters can support health services to meet these guidelines, by better understanding the current pattern of use for group O RhD negative blood, and determining potential recommendations to conserve for O RhD negative inventory.
O negative audit templateO negative audit: Frequently asked questionsO negative audit: sample questionsThe use of O RhD negative red blood cells according to guidelines audit report 2018The use of O RhD negative red blood cells according to guidelines audit report 2018 - Summary presentation for health services -
Currently in Victoria there are no data on practices that are in place to reduce iatrogenic blood loss potentially resulting in anaemia (that is, the anaemia that results from blood loss due to repeated blood sampling to obtain specimens for laboratory testing, also known as hospital-acquired anaemia).
The aim of this audit was to determine how Blood Matters can support health services to reduce this type of blood loss by better understanding what practices are currently in place and what barriers are in place, if any.
Snapshot audit of minimal volume blood sampling to prevent iatrogenic anaemia 2017 -
The aim of this audit was to provide information to improve practice related to the assessment and management of reversible anaemia prior to surgery, and improve outcomes for patients undergoing elective surgical procedures.
Pre-operative anaemia assessment audit tool part APre-operative anaemia assessment audit tool part B -
The aim of this audit was to improve the quality of care provided to adult patients (greater than or equal to 16 years of age) by ensuring the appropriate use of elective red blood cell (RBC) transfusion and patient blood management practices.
Clinical audit of elective red blood cell use in medical, surgical and obstetric adult patients - 2014 -
The aim of this audit was to improve the quality of care provided to patients by ensuring blood and blood product transfusion acute reaction management policies are available, appropriate, understood and practiced within hospitals.
ATR management and knowledge audit 2013 introduction and definitionsPolicy and procedure for blood and blood product acute transfusion reactionsProcedural management of acute transfusion reactionsSurvey of clinical staff awareness of acute transfusion reactions
Audit reports
The audit reports provide a detailed analysis of the data collected through the audits and surveys coordinated by Blood Matters.
They provide health services with the opportunity to benchmark their own processes and practices. They are listed by release date.
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- The positive patient identification and pretransfusion checking procedure audit was conducted in 2 parts:
- Part A – health service policy
- Part B – an observational audit of clinical practice
Positive patient identification and pretransfusion checking procedure audit reportPositive patient identification and pretransfusion checking procedure audit report - The positive patient identification and pretransfusion checking procedure audit was conducted in 2 parts:
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- The O RhD negative red blood cell (RBC) audit report was conducted in 2 parts:
- Part A was health service policy
- Part B was a retrospective audit of the fate all O RhD RBC issued during March 2024
O RhD negative red blood cell (RBC) audit reportO RhD negative red blood cell (RBC) audit report - The O RhD negative red blood cell (RBC) audit report was conducted in 2 parts:
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- The appropriate use of fresh frozen plasma (FFP), in accordance with the National Blood Authority Patient Blood Management Guidelines and Australian Rd Cross Lifeblood (Lifeblood).
- The audit tool was developed in conjunction with Lifeblood
Fresh frozen plasma audit report 2024Fresh frozen plasma audit report 2024 -
- Blood transfusion consent audit report: This audit was conducted in 2 parts in 2022:
- Part A was a consent policy review
- Part B was retrospective medical record audit of up to 30 patients who had received a blood component transfusion. Download these below:
Blood transfusion consent audit report 2022Blood transfusion consent audit report 2022- Electronic Medical Record (EMR) Audit Report: A survey on the implementation and the use of an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) specific to blood management and transfusion practice report. Download these below:
Electronic Medical Record (EMR) Audit Report 2022Electronic Medical Record (EMR) Audit Report 2022 - Blood transfusion consent audit report: This audit was conducted in 2 parts in 2022:
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- Perioperative anaemia assessment and management in elective surgical procedures - preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative
Cardiothoracic surgery Perioperative anaemia assessment and management audit 2020 (PDF)Orthopaedic surgery Perioperative anaemia assessment and management audit 2020 (PDF)Major Gastrointestinal surgery Perioperative anaemia assessment and management audit 2020 (PDF)Gynaecology surgery_Perioperative anaemia assessment and management audit 2020 (PDF)- 2020 - Perioperative anaemia assessment and management in elective surgical procedures - preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative
Perioperative anaemia audit report - preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative 2020Perioperative anaemia audit report - preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative 2020- 2020 - Preoperative anaemia assessment and management in elective surgical procedures survey report
2020 - Preoperative anaemia assessment and management in elective surgical procedures survey -
- General practice audit of preoperative anaemia report 2019
General practice audit of preoperative anaemia report 2019General practice audit of preoperative anaemia report 2019- Blood sampling volume audit report 2019
Blood sampling volume audit 2019- Minimal blood sampling 2019 at a glance
Minimal blood sampling 2019 -
2018
- RhD immunoglobulin is used to prevent RhD alloimmunisation and subsequent haemolytic disease of the newborn in RhD negative women. It has been available in Australia since 1967. The Blood Matters serious transfusion incident reporting (STIR) system has collected information on incidents, reactions and near misses relating to transfusion since 2007. Since reporting commenced, some common error themes emerged. To understand current practice, Blood Matters conducted an audit to assess compliance with the current Australian guidelines.
RhD immunoglobulin (Ig) in obstetrics audit report 2018RhD immunoglobulin (Ig) in obstetrics audit report 2018- The use of O RhD negative red blood cells according to guidelines audit report 2018
The use of O RhD negative red blood cells according to guidelines audit report 2018The use of O RhD negative red blood cells according to guidelines audit report 2018 - Summary presentation for health services -
Response to an online audit of policies and strategies that support reduction of iatrogenic blood loss.
Snapshot audit of minimal volume blood sampling to prevent iatrogenic anaemia 2017 -
Clinical audit of preoperative anaemia assessment and management in elective surgical procedures
Clinical audit of elective red blood cell use in medical, surgical and obstetric adult patients - 2014Audit of acute transfusion reaction management and knowledge 2013Consent for blood transfusion audit 2012 reportComparative audit of blood transfusion policy and practice 2011Report on blood storage and handling survey 2010Clinical audit of platelet use in Victorian and Tasmanian hospitals 2009Clinical audit of platelet use in Victorian and Tasmanian hospitals 2009Patient blood management in elective orthopaedic surgery 2009 Revised
Reviewed 04 March 2026