The Victoria Blood Matters Program has created patient resources in collaboration with consumers on the following topics:
- blood transfusion
- subcutaneous immunoglobulin
- patient blood management.
Additional valuable resources are provided as well.
Blood transfusion
While blood transfusions can be lifesaving, they are not without risks. The following fact sheets are designed to provide essential information for people who may need a blood transfusion. This information can help them understand the process and what it entails.
Translated patient information resources are available at SA and at the New South Wales (NSW) Government's Clinical Excellence Commission Blood Watch .
Paediatric transfusion
Information for children, and parents and caregivers includes:
- Blood product , The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne – information about children needing a blood transfusion to help clinicians discuss the proposed transfusion with the infant's parents or caregivers.
- Babies Receiving a Blood and Children Receiving a Blood , The Australian Red Cross Lifeblood – information for parents and caregivers.
- Blood , SA Health blood transfusion – resources for children, and parents and caregivers.
- The Blood Watch , New South Wales (NSW) Government – information for children.
Immunoglobulin therapy
Immunoglobulin (Ig) therapy uses human plasma proteins, mainly IgG antibodies, from blood donations to provide a broad range of antibody activity to modify or supplement the immune system.
Immunoglobulins can be given in 2 ways:
- Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) is given at a health care facility. It is administered through a needle inserted into a vein.
- Subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIg) administration can be performed at home by either the patient or a caregiver. The immunoglobulin is delivered through a needle that is inserted beneath the skin.
This resource introduces SCIg as an alternative treatment option to intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) for those patients that meet the SCIg criteria. This resource can be used by patients or their medical practitioners to discuss this option.
Patient blood management (PBM)
The best and safest blood for patients is their own. Patient Blood Management (PBM) values a patient's blood as a valuable resource to be conserved and managed.
PBM focuses on optimising a patient's blood by managing anaemia, reducing blood loss through surgical methods, and enhancing a patient's ability to tolerate anaemia without needing transfusions.
The PBM resources help patients understand PBM and be more involved in their care.
Iron therapy
Patients with iron deficiency or iron deficiency anaemia should be offered iron therapy.
General information for patients, families and carers on iron and iron deficiency can be found at BloodSafe .
A guide to taking oral iron by Blood Safe SA Health outlines general information for patients, families and carers about oral iron therapy.
Comparative charts on oral iron preparations covering several different brand names and formulas, including the amount of elemental iron in each tablet, available in Australia is found at:
- The oral preparations for treatment of iron deficiency in Australia , BloodSafe SA
- Oral Iron Choices for , Australian Red Cross Lifeblood
- Comparison of intravenous iron preparations, use , BloodSafe SA
- Iron product choice and dose calculation guide for , developed by the Transfusion Policy and Education Unit of Australian Red Cross Lifeblood and published by the National Blood Authority – this document provides a comprehensive guide to iron therapy.
Other resources
- , Australian Red Cross Lifeblood
- About Immunoglobulin - patient information , Australian Primary Immunodeficiency Patient Support (AusPIPS)
- Patient , National Blood Authority
- Immunodeficiencies: Patient and consumer , Australian Society of Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA).
Reviewed 24 January 2025