Blood Matters Program

The Blood Matters Program is a Victorian Government program run in collaboration with the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood (formerly Blood Service) that aims to support and enhance best practice in patient blood management (PBM), and the stewardship of blood and blood products, for improved patient outcomes in Victorian health services.

What's new

The Serious Transfusion Incident Reporting (STIR) annual report and summary report 2019-20 are now available to download from the STIR page.

2021 Blood Matters Audit - Electronic Medical Record (EMR)

In 2021, the Blood Matters audit will survey the implementation of an electronic medical record (EMR).

This survey will help develop an understanding of the current design and implementation of EMRs specific to blood management and transfusion practice. We will be requesting input from several areas of the health service.

We recognise that not all health services have an EMR, and there will be questions relevant to all health services.

The audit is now closed.

2020 - Perioperative anaemia assessment and management in elective surgical procedures - preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative

This audit assessed 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.

For the report and infographics for each clinical speciality to highlight gaps in practice, see Blood Matters Audits.

The following documents are now available:

STIR bulletin number 7 - Transfusion-transmitted bacterial infection and current mitigation strategies in Australia - An overview of the current risk of bacterial infection related to blood component transfusion

Traceability requirements of blood and blood products – January 2021 is replacing the Department of Health and Human Services Circular 32/2008 - Traceability of transfused blood and blood product

Health Service Blood Management or Patient Blood Management Committee guidance (January 2021) replaces the Department of Health and Human Service Circular 01/2018 – Health Service Blood Management Committees

About the Blood Matters Program

The Blood Matters Program began in April 2002 and involved the collaboration of three organisations and subsequently expanded to 12.

Blood Matters consumer information

Victoria's Blood Matters Program has developed consumer information resources with input from patients.

Immunoglobulin (Ig) replacement therapy

Information about IVIg Governance and supply, the SCIg access program and Criteria for use.

Transfusion science and blood stewardship

Workforce professional development and blood wastage reduction.

National Standards and patient blood management

Information about the National Standards and patient blood management.

Blood transfusion audit and data collection

Blood transfusion audits and data collection tools can assist Victorian health services to identify gaps in practice, update and improve policies and procedures to ensure best practice and meet the requirements of the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards.

Serious Transfusion Incident Reporting system

The Serious Transfusion Incident Reporting system is a central reporting system for serious adverse events with transfusion of fresh blood or blood components.

Reports, journal articles and government policy on blood and blood products

Reports and journal articles are available for Victorian health services to help their practice in blood and blood product management.

The Specialist Certificate in Blood Management Foundations and the Graduate Certificate in Transfusion Practice

The University of Melbourne has advised that they do not intend to offer these certificates in 2020. Blood Matters are currently exploring other options for these courses.