Blood component prescribing

Reference: TF052
Title: Behavioural change in blood component prescribing using smartphone applications at point of care
Chief investigator: Shuba Allard and Aman Dhesi

Summary

National, regional and local audits in England have consistently shown that 15-30% of all blood components are used inappropriately.

Interventions to alter practice in transfusion such as audit feedback, teaching and training sessions, the dissemination of guidelines and local policy (paper based and electronic) as well as algorithms for prescribing posters have had varying degrees of success.

All these interventions try to change behaviour. Clinical staff are now increasingly using mobile technology to support patient care.

This study aims to develop and test a Smartphone Application which influences clinical decisions leading to improved compliance to guidelines and reducing inappropriate transfusions.