Prescription and request for transfusion

The prescription is the documented authorisation to administer the blood component or product, and is a critical part of safe and appropriate transfusion practice.

It must be legible and must include:

• patient identification details: family name and given name, gender, date of birth (DOB) and unique patient identification number if available
• date, timing and urgency of the transfusion
• appropriate and consistent terminology for the blood product to be administered
• special blood product requirements, e.g. irradiated or cytomegalovirus (CMV) seronegative
• the route of administration
• the number of units or dose of blood product to be given, using appropriate units of measure (e.g. number of packs, volume in millilitres, units or weight in grams); blood component volumes should be stated in millilitres for neonatal patients and children less than 20 kg
• the duration over which the blood product is to be administered
• special instructions, e.g. use of a blood warmer, or any medication required before or after the transfusion
• legibly written name and signature of the prescriber, and a contact telephone number or pager number, and
• plasma-derived products and recombinant products should include the brand name.

The prescription must be available at the patient’s side in the final double independent checking procedure and can be on paper or part of the patient’s electronic medical records.

A health service should have a local policy outlining site specific prescriptions requirements.