National Standards and patient blood management

The National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards (National Standards) were developed to drive the implementation and use of safety and quality systems and to improve the quality of health service provision in Australia. The second edition of the Standards was released November 2017. Assessment against these standards commenced in January 2019.

The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare have produced resources and fact sheets to assist in preparing for accreditation against the National Standards.

The Blood Management Standard focuses on patients and their blood management needs as well as providing stewardship of blood and blood products.

Patient blood management (PBM) is individualised, patient-centred care aimed at improving outcomes. It focuses on the premise ‘why transfuse?’ rather than ‘why not?’. The emphasis is on reducing the risks of transfusion, by avoiding or minimising the use of blood and blood products as they are biological products with effects that are still not fully understood.

PBM includes optimisation of haemoglobin, minimisation of blood loss and the use of alternatives to blood transfusion where practicable.

Blood management standard

Health services using blood and blood products are accredited to the blood management standard.

Patient Blood Management (PBM)

Patient blood management (PBM) is a patient-centred approach using evidence and best practice to manage and conserve a patient’s own blood. This page includes guidelines and resources

Iron deficiency anaemia and iron therapy

Information about iron deficiency and anaemia for practitioners collecting blood.

Reviewed 08 November 2021

Health.vic

Contact details

Blood Matters Program Australian Red Cross Lifeblood

100-154 Batman Street, Melbourne, 3003 Victoria, Australia, Melbourne, VIC 3003

Phone 03 9694 0102

bloodmatters@redcrossblood.org.au