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Audits conducted by Blood Matters that benchmark results can be used to improve policies and procedures, to help health services provide best practice in blood management and transfusion practice.
The audits can help health services meet the requirements of the Australian Quality and Safety in Healthcare Standards, the Blood Management Standard (7).
Audit tools and instructions from previous years are available for health services to use for re-auditing. They are not for submitting to Blood Matters.
Contact Blood Matters if you have questions: call 03 9694 0102 or email bloodmatters@redcrossblood.org.au.
Blood Matters audits and reports
Pretransfusion specimen collection errors can result in serious consequences for patients and therefore require investigation and strategies to reduce the risks of these events.
The Blood Matters 2026 audit aims to identify if health service and laboratory policies and procedures for pretransfusion specimen collection and testing are consistent with The Australian and New Zealand Society for Blood Transfusion (ANZSBT) Guidelines for the administration of blood products 3rd edition (2024) and Guidelines for transfusion and immunohaematology laboratory practice 2nd edition (2025).
The audit will include a policy assessment and a review of pretransfusion specimen collection and rejection data to determine rejection rates, causes, and the associated investigation and reporting processes.
Pretransfusion specimen collection and rejection audit instructions(opens in a new window)Word 167.63 KBUpdated 16 Feb 2026Pretransfusion specimen collection and rejection audit instructions(opens in a new window)PDF 283.67 KBUpdated 16 Feb 2026Pretransfusion specimen collection and rejection audit tool(opens in a new window)Word 162.15 KBUpdated 16 Feb 2026Pretransfusion specimen collection and rejection audit tool(opens in a new window)PDF 300.85 KBUpdated 16 Feb 2026Audit aim:
- To identify if health service blood administration policies and practices are consistent with the ANZSBT guidelines for the administration of blood products 3rd edition (2024).
Pretransfusion checking audit 2025 instructions(opens in a new window)Word 339.36 KBUpdated 31 Mar 2026Pretransfusion checking audit 2025 instructions(opens in a new window)PDF 317.63 KBUpdated 31 Mar 2026Part A – a desk top blood administration policy review
Part A - pretransfusion checking policy questions(opens in a new window)Word 150.46 KBUpdated 31 Mar 2026Part A - pretransfusion checking policy questions(opens in a new window)PDF 202.06 KBUpdated 31 Mar 2026Part B – observation of the pretransfusion patient identification and blood component check prior to blood administration.
Part B - pretransfusion checking observational audit questions(opens in a new window)Word 159.18 KBUpdated 31 Mar 2026Part B - pretransfusion checking observational audit questions(opens in a new window)PDF 234.46 KBUpdated 31 Mar 2026Printable pretransfusion checking data collection tool(opens in a new window)Word 44.36 KBUpdated 31 Mar 20262025 Audit report
Positive patient identification and pretransfusion checking procedure audit report(opens in a new window)Word 397.2 KBUpdated 15 Dec 2025Positive patient identification and pretransfusion checking procedure audit report(opens in a new window)PDF 527.05 KBUpdated 15 Dec 2025Audit aim:
- To document the use of O RhD negative red blood cells and compare the patient characteristics to the Use of group O RhD negative red cells | Lifeblood.
Group O RhD negative RBC use audit instructions(opens in a new window)Word 159.48 KBGroup O RhD negative RBC use audit instructions(opens in a new window)PDF 259.28 KBGroup O RhD negative RBC use audit tool(opens in a new window)Excel 221.48 KB2024 Audit report
Indications for the use of O RhD negative red cells audit report(opens in a new window)Word 509.04 KBIndications for the use of O RhD negative red cells audit report(opens in a new window)PDF 709.28 KBAudit aim:
- To gain an understanding of FFP use in adult patients across health services and assess if its use was in accordance with guidelines current at time of the audit.
Fresh frozen plasma (FFP) use audit instructions(opens in a new window)Word 157 KBFresh frozen plasma (FFP) use audit instructions(opens in a new window)PDF 232.05 KBFresh frozen plasma data collection tool(opens in a new window)Word 91.76 KB2023 Audit report
Appropriate use of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) audit report(opens in a new window)Word 426.51 KBAppropriate use of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) audit report(opens in a new window)PDF 679.17 KBAudit aim:
- A two-part audit to identify changes in consent policy and practice.
Consent audit instructions(opens in a new window)Word 149.79 KBConsent audit instructions(opens in a new window)PDF 186.99 KBPart A – a desktop blood transfusion consent policy review
Part A - Blood transfusion consent policy audit questions(opens in a new window)Word 146.15 KBPart A - Blood transfusion consent policy audit questions(opens in a new window)PDF 209.74 KBPart B – a retrospective medical record audit of blood transfusion consent practice
Part B data collection tool(opens in a new window)Word 89.37 KBPart B data collection tool(opens in a new window)PDF 229.2 KB2022 Audit report
Blood transfusion consent audit report 2022(opens in a new window)Word 402.54 KBBlood transfusion consent audit report 2022(opens in a new window)PDF 1.38 MBAudit aim:
- to identify, the number of health services with an electronic medical record (EMR)
- the level of staff participation in the design, development and implementation of the EMR
- the clinical quality and safety achieved by using an EMR for blood management and transfusion practice.
The survey was designed to be completed by different staff in varying roles within the health service.
2021 Audit report
2021 Implementation and use of electronic medical records (EMR) in blood management and transfusion practice audit report(opens in a new window)Word 505.37 KB2021 Implementation and use of electronic medical records (EMR) in blood management and transfusion practice audit report(opens in a new window)PDF 1.79 MBSurvey aim:
- To determine if health services have processes in place to assess anaemia in perioperative patients undergoing elective procedures in which substantial blood loss is anticipated.
Preoperative anaemia assessment and management in elective surgical procedures survey data collection tool(opens in a new window)PDF 185.47 KBPreoperative anaemia assessment and management in elective surgical procedures survey data collection tool(opens in a new window)Word 290.87 KBAudit aim:
- To assess compliance with the PBM guidelines: Module 2, specifically the assessment and management of reversible anaemia prior to elective surgery, and intraoperative blood conservation strategies to reduce postoperative anaemia.
Perioperative anaemia assessment and management in elective surgical procedures – preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative audit instructions(opens in a new window)PDF 336.29 KBPerioperative anaemia audit collection tool(opens in a new window)Word 205.6 KB2020 Survey and audit reports and infographics
Perioperative anaemia assessment and management in elective surgical procedures – perioperative, intraoperative and postoperative survey report(opens in a new window)Word 531.63 KBPerioperative anaemia audit report - preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative 2020(opens in a new window)Word 1.22 MBPerioperative anaemia audit report - preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative 2020(opens in a new window)PDF 1.22 MBCardiothoracic surgery audit infographic(opens in a new window)PDF 1.11 MBOrthopaedic surgery audit infographic(opens in a new window)PDF 1.18 MBMajor gastrointestinal surgery audit infographic(opens in a new window)PDF 1.18 MBGynaecology surgery audit infographic(opens in a new window)PDF 1.18 MBAudit aim:
- A two-part audit to identify changes in policy and practice, since the 2017 audit and to assess total blood volume taken from patients for samples (testing and discard).
Blood Sampling audit instructions(opens in a new window)PDF 87.11 KBBlood Sampling audit instructions(opens in a new window)Word 319.58 KBPart A: Desktop audit policy and procedures - Audit questions
2019-Blood-Sampling-Policy(opens in a new window)PDF 702.97 KB2019_BloodSampling_Policy(opens in a new window)Word 352.76 KBPart B: Bedside prospective audit of practice
2019 Blood Sampling Bedside Cumulative Tool v2(opens in a new window)PDF 117.99 KB2019 Blood Sampling Bedside Cumulative Tool v2(opens in a new window)Other 114.02 KB2019 Audit report
2019 Blood sampling volume audit report(opens in a new window)PDF 8.47 MB2019 minimal blood sampling audit results at a glance(opens in a new window)PDF 521.45 KBGeneral practice audit of preoperative anaemia – background, instructions and audit questions
General practice audit of preoperative anaemia – background, instructions and audit questions(opens in a new window)PDF 860.63 KBPart 2 Data collection tool(opens in a new window)PDF 343.88 KBRACGP GP feedback form(opens in a new window)PDF 460.96 KB2019 General Practitioners perioperative anaemia audit report
General practice audit of preoperative anaemia report 2019(opens in a new window)PDF 8.08 MBGeneral practice audit of preoperative anaemia report 2019(opens in a new window)Word 4.52 MBAudit aim:
- A two-part audit to review policies and practices for compliance with the current "Guidelines for the use of RhD immunoglobulin in obstetrics in Australia."
RhD Ig audit: Introduction and instructions(opens in a new window)PDF 83.4 KBRhD Ig audit: Part 1 - Policy audit data collection tool(opens in a new window)PDF 60.56 KBRhD Ig audit: Part 2 - Practice audit data collection tool(opens in a new window)PDF 117.39 KB2018 Audit report
RhD immunoglobulin (Ig) in obstetrics audit report 2018(opens in a new window)PDF 663.14 KBRhD immunoglobulin (Ig) in obstetrics audit report 2018(opens in a new window)Word 337.65 KBAudit aims:
- To understand the current pattern of use for group O RhD negative red blood cells and to determine recommendations to conserve group RhD negative RBC inventory.
- Recommendations to conserve group RhD negative RBC inventory.
O negative audit template(opens in a new window)Other 113.96 KBO negative audit: Frequently asked questions(opens in a new window)PDF 135.5 KBO negative audit: sample questions(opens in a new window)PDF 111.17 KB2017 Audit report and summary presentation
The use of O RhD negative red blood cells according to guidelines audit report 2018(opens in a new window)PDF 589.67 KBThe use of O RhD negative red blood cells according to guidelines audit report 2018 - Summary presentation for health services(opens in a new window)PDF 735.45 KBAudit aim:
- To understand current practices and barriers regarding iatrogenic anaemia.
2017 Audit report
Snapshot audit of minimal volume blood sampling to prevent iatrogenic anaemia audit report 2017(opens in a new window)PDF 1013.91 KBUpdated 1 Apr 2026Audit aim:
- A two-part audit to improve practice related to the assessment and management of reversible anaemia prior to surgery, and improve outcomes for patients undergoing elective surgical procedures
Pre-operative anaemia assessment audit tool part A(opens in a new window)PDF 64.79 KBUpdated 16 Oct 2021Pre-operative anaemia assessment audit tool part B(opens in a new window)PDF 74.65 KBUpdated 16 Oct 20212015 Audit report
2015 Clinical audit of perioperative anaemia assessment and management in elective surgical procedures report(opens in a new window)PDF 2.4 MBAudit aim:
- To improve the quality of care for adult patients (greater than or equal to 16 years of age) by ensuring the appropriate use of elective red blood cell (RBC) transfusion and patient blood management practices.
- Contact the Blood Matters Program for more information on this audit.
2014 Audit report
2014 Clinical audit of elective red blood cell use in medical, surgical and obstetric adult patients report(opens in a new window)PDF 6.51 MBUpdated 1 Apr 2026Audit aim:
- To improve the quality of care provided to patients by ensuring blood and blood product transfusion acute reaction management policies are available, appropriate, understood and practiced within hospitals.
ATR management and knowledge audit 2013 introduction and definitions(opens in a new window)PDF 38.4 KBUpdated 16 Oct 2021Policy and procedure for blood and blood product acute transfusion reactions(opens in a new window)PDF 707.77 KBUpdated 16 Oct 2021Procedural management of acute transfusion reactions(opens in a new window)PDF 762.22 KBUpdated 16 Oct 2021Survey of clinical staff awareness of acute transfusion reactions(opens in a new window)PDF 731.46 KBUpdated 16 Oct 20212013 Audit report
2013 Audit of acute transfusion reaction management and knowledge report(opens in a new window)PDF 7.17 MB
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