Blood Matters Program

The Blood Matters program is underpinned by the Department’s values, vision, and priorities. Read more about the priorities on the Our priorities page.

The program aims to support best practice in all areas related to blood management safety and governance.

The content of these pages is intended for use by health care staff; clinical, quality, and scientific.

What's new

O RhD negative red blood cell (RBC) audit report is now available.
The audit 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 report
docx 509.04 KB

O RhD negative red blood cell (RBC) audit report
pdf 709.28 KB

See more at Blood Matters program - audit reports.
While STIR does not accept reports of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) reactions, recent changes to immunoglobulin products highlight the importance of recognising and reporting IVIg reactions. This STIR bulletin focuses on IVIg reactions, recognition and reporting.

STIR bulletin No. 12 - Intravenous immunoglobulin reactions
docx 152.98 KB

STIR bulletin No. 12 - Intravenous immunoglobulin reactions
pdf 175.12 KB

See more at Serious Transfusion Incident Reporting (STIR).
Blood Matters on the Bench and Beyond May 2025
docx 748.26 KB

Blood Matters on the Bench and Beyond May 2025
pdf 574.77 KB

Previous versions are available on Transfusion science and blood stewardship page .
The 2025 audit focuses on the pretransfusion patient identification and product check. Details of the audit are now available on Blood Matters audits.
The report is an overview of the Blood Matters program activities and plans intended for distribution to blood management committees (or equivalent).

February 2025 - Blood Management Committee report
docx 521.95 KB

February 2025 - Blood Management Committee report
pdf 221.09 KB

See previous reports on Resources and education.
Following the release of Beriplex, a four-factor prothrombin complex concentrate, there has been an update to the recommendations for warfarin reversal.
For more information, see Clinical education resources on Resources and education – blood transfusion.

About the Blood Matters Program

The Blood Matters Program promotes the principles of Patient Blood Management, quality improvement and sector engagement.

Patient information

Patient resources about patient blood management, transfusion, immunoglobulin therapy, and consumer medicine information leaflets.

Immunoglobulin (Ig) replacement therapy

Information about IVIg governance and supply, the SCIg access program and criteria for use.

Transfusion science and blood stewardship

Education and resources, including national guidelines and standards, to support transfusion scientists and other health professionals.

Blood Management Standard

Health services using blood and blood products are accredited to the Blood Management Standard.

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 (STIR)

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

Resources and education – blood transfusion

Resources relating to transfusion, including safety alerts and product updates, Transfusion Practitioner role resources, and clinical education resources.