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

The Serious Transfusion Incident Reporting system 2022-23 annual report and summary report are now available.
Visit the Serious Transfusion Incident Reporting system page for more information.
Blood Matters has developed a document comparing the new four factor prothrombin complex concentrate Beriplex with the soon to be discontinued three factor prothrombin complex concentrate.
Find the document under the heading 'Prescribing and administering blood and blood products 7.6' on the Prescribing and clinical use of blood products page.
The August edition of the Blood Matters Bench and Beyond newsletter is now available on the Transfusion science and blood stewardship page .
Australian Red Cross Lifeblood’s Transfusion Practitioner microcredentials are designed to build and support knowledge of safe transfusion practice and offer a certification of assessed learning.
There are 4 modules currently available with each tailored to suit the needs of healthcare professionals in developing or improving knowledge in the transfusion practice setting.
- Module 1: Transfusion practitioner role
- Module 2: Blood physiology
- Module 3: Blood components
- Module 4: Decision to transfuse and consent.
Further modules will be released in the coming months.

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 to support transfusion scientists, including national guidelines and standards.

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 (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 government policy on blood and blood products

Reports, journal articles and government policy for Victorian health services to help their practice in blood and blood product management.