The scientific workforce plays a vital role in the healthcare system and is supported by the Blood Matters scientist.
Blood Matters aims to:
- assist with education and resources to support transfusion scientists (with best practice in the areas of blood management)
- ensure compliance with national guidelines and standards.
On the Bench and Beyond newsletter is published every 3 months, with issues from 2020-2023 available for .
Guidelines and from the Australian and New Zealand Society of Blood Transfusion (ANZSBT), National Blood Authority and others have also been provided.
STOP the waste festive campaign 2023-24
The festive season is fast approaching and once again it is time for us to consider how we can keep blood wastage to a minimum over this period. Donated blood is a precious gift, and we all need to do our part to protect and manage this valuable resource.
Let’s celebrate the donor’s precious gift this festive season.
For more information, see the Blood component wastage page.
On the Bench and Beyond newsletter
National standards and guidelines
Australian and New Zealand Society of Blood Transfusion (ANZSBT)
- ANZSBT Guidelines for Laboratory Estimation of Fetomaternal Haemorrhage, (update to 1st edition Nov 2002) -
- ANZSBT Guidelines for Transfusion and Immunohaematology Laboratory Practice 1st Edition, revised January
- ANZSBT Position statement: Transport of blood and blood products to a patient’s bedside -
- ANZSBT/ARCBS Consensus statement on use and allocation of Kell negative red cells -
- Extended Life Plasma: A framework for preparation, storage and use -
- ANZSBT Prevention of Transfusion-Associated Graft-Versus-Host Disease (TA-GVHD) (Update of the Guidelines for Gamma Irradiation of Blood Components, May 2003) 1st edition January
National Blood Authority
- Group O negative red blood cell management, including download of the National Statement for the Emergency Use of Group O Red Blood Cells -
- National Safety and Quality in Health Service Standards Second edition Blood Management Standard - and as PDF
- National Blood Authority - National Blood Management Improvement Strategy (previously - Wastage reduction strategy) -
- National Blood Authority - Managing Blood and Blood Product Inventory - Guidelines for Australian Health Providers -
Other
- National Pathology Accreditation Advisory Council (NPAAC) Requirements for transfusion laboratory practice (Fifth Edition)
- Standards Australia - AS 3864.2-2012 Medical refrigeration equipment – for the storage of blood and blood products, Part 2 -
- Australian Health Ministers’ Conference Statement on National Stewardship Expectations for the Supply of Blood and Blood Products (PDF) -
Acknowledgements
The Blood Matters Program would like to acknowledge everyone who has contributed to the success of the project so far:
- Health and pathology services throughout Victoria.
- Department of Health Victoria.
- Australian Red Cross Lifeblood.
- South Australian BloodMove Project.
- BloodSafe.
- The National Blood Authority.
Some of these strategies on this page are guided by the South Australian BloodMove and the National Blood Authority Managing blood and blood product .
Reviewed 22 March 2024