Informed consent for blood product transfusions

1. Purpose and scope 

The purpose of this document is to provide a framework for clinicians prescribing blood products for children at The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH).

Please refer to the Blood Transfusion – Fresh Blood  Products Procedure and the Consent – Informed Procedure. 

Patient consent to blood product form MR 634/A (RCH use only). 

2. Definitions 

3. Guideline 

3.1 Consent discussion 

Blood transfusions are used to treat blood loss or to supply blood components that the body cannot make itself and has the potential to be lifesaving. Valid informed consent must be obtained and documented prior to transfusion of blood products and/or plasma-derived blood components.

The decision to transfuse a patient should be a carefully considered decision and involve a discussion with the patient, parent/legal guardian, providing the patient, parent/legal guardian with information and provide them with an opportunity to ask any questions and use an interpreter for non-English speaking families. 

The following should be part of the consent discussion:

• The type of blood product (e.g., red cells)
  
• The clinical indication for the blood product transfusion (e.g., severe anaemia)
  
• The possible benefits of the transfusion
  
• The possible risks associated with a transfusion
  
• The risks of refusing a transfusion
  
• Any alternatives to transfusion
  
• The duration of the consent. 

3.2 Types of blood products and benefits 

3.3 Risks associated with transfusion 

Australia has one of the safest blood supplies in the world and blood transfusions in Australia are usually very safe. Blood donors are voluntary and non-remunerated. Blood donations are obtained, tested, handled and stored very carefully. Each blood donation is test for HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, malaria and syphilis.

There is a small chance that some patients experience complications, most side effects experienced and mild and self-limiting e.g. fever or a rash and are easily managed by stopping the transfusion.

See table below for some of the risks related to transfusion:

For further information see Australian Red Cross Lifeblood websites for more information https://www.lifeblood.com.au/health-professionals/clinical-practice/adverse-events/classification-incidence

3.4 Risks of not having a transfusion 

Choosing not to have a blood transfusion may have serious consequences in certain situations including death or disability. Being fully informed about a blood transfusion, includes understanding the consequences of not having the suggested transfusion in the patient’s circumstances. 

3.5 Possible alternatives to transfusion 

3.6 Patient and family information 

Information on blood product transfusion will be offered to the patient, parents/legal guardians.

Provision of information must be documented on the MR634/A form. 

3.7 Documentation of blood transfusion consent 

Transfusion consent should be sought prospectively prior any blood product transfusion. The only exception is a critical bleeding event where consent should be sought retrospectively.

The RCH has a dedicated paper-based consent form for the documentation of transfusion consent. Patient consent to blood products MR634/A.

A copy of the transfusion consent form should be kept at the patient’s bedside until they are discharged. The original signed form should be sent to HIS for scanning. 

When the transfusion consent form has been scanned into the EMR, or if a patient has a standing consent form (e.g. chronically transfused patient valid for 12 months) it can be viewed in chart review section of EMR under the Media tab.

The RCH surgical consent form does not include a section on transfusion consent and if a blood transfusion may be required during the surgical procedure, the MR634/A consent form must be completed with the family prior to surgery. 

The consent form should be sighted by medical and nursing clinicians prior to the prescription and administration of blood products. 

3.8 Duration of blood transfusion consent 

Blood product transfusion consent is valid for a child’s entire admission, e.g., if the child requires multiple blood product transfusion during their admission only one blood product transfusion consent form is required. 

When a child needs ongoing transfusion support (e.g. oncology patient, transfusion dependent patient, patient receiving immunoglobulin replacement therapy), consent can be sought for 12 months. The consent form will indicate an expiry date of the long-term consent.

3.9 Refusal of blood products 

If the patient, parent/legal guardian indicated that they are not willing to provide consent for transfusions of blood products, please refer to the Blood Refusal – Management of Procedure  

Please document in both the medical record and on the blood transfusion consent form. 

3.10 Key aligned documents / resources 

• Australian Red Cross Lifeblood - Informed consent | Lifeblood
• Department of Health - Bloods Matters consumer information - Blood transfusions (health.vic.gov.au)
• South Australia blood transfusion fact sheets in 18 translations - Blood transfusions | SA Health