Blood transfusion, if used safely and appropriately, will improve the quality of life or be a life saving treatment for many patients.

Learnbloodtransfusion is a suite of e-learning courses that have been developed by the UK Blood Services and are reviewed regularly by a UK-wide editorial board. It has been developed to ensure that all healthcare workers can participate safely in the transfusion process, in line with the Health Service Circular, Better Blood Transfusion - Safe and Appropriate Use of Blood (2007).

The interactive e-learning materials offer healthcare workers the opportunity to practise skills relevant to:

• Prescribing

• Requesting

• Sampling

• Collection

• Administering a transfusion

• Managing an adverse event

• Sample testing

• Blood conservation

• The consent process

• Laboratory practice

Each e-learning session includes a self-assessment exercise and the option to download and print off a certificate of successful completion if a score of 80% or more is achieved.

Learnbloodtransfusion is supported by:

• UK Blood Services

• The Serious Hazards of Transfusion (SHOT) scheme

• The National Blood Transfusion Committee (NBTC), England and the respective committees in Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Republic of Ireland

To find out how to access the e-learning materials, see More Information.