Understanding the nursing practices and perspectives of transfusion reaction reporting.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate nurse perspectives on transfusion-related adverse reaction reporting practices.

BACKGROUND: Transfusion-related adverse reaction reporting is an essential component of hemovigilance in Canada, but reporting rates vary and under-reporting of minor transfusion-related adverse reactions exists. To our knowledge, this is the first report of nursing transfusion-related adverse reaction reporting attitudes.

DESIGN: This qualitative descriptive study explored the nursing practices and perspectives of transfusion-related adverse reaction reporting by conducting one-on-one interviews with nurses (n = 25) working in adult oncology inpatient and outpatient units.

METHODS: Data were thematically analysed; data collection ended when saturation was reached. The COREQ checklist was used to guide this study.

RESULTS: The study revealed that the nursing practices of transfusion-related adverse reaction reporting are not standardised to meet the institutional reporting guidelines. Under-reporting of febrile reactions exists at this institution. Major concepts uncovered included the factors impacting nurses' transfusion-related reporting practices, as well as barriers and facilitators to transfusion reporting.

CONCLUSION: A practice change in transfusion-related adverse reaction reporting is needed to achieve optimal hemovigilance at this institution. Using the barriers and facilitators identified in this study, institutions can better inform future interventions by employing strategies like TR reporting education in order to improve reporting of transfusion-related adverse reactions in this hospital and other similar institutions.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: This study informs clinical practice and decision-making for nurses and nursing educators who manage blood transfusion administration procedures.