Blood Counts Program
Guidelines and Standards
- Factor VIII and Factor IX Guidelines
The National Blood Authority supported the production of evidence based guidelines for the use of plasma derived and recombinant Factor VIII and Factor IX products in Australia. The Guidelines were published in July 2006.
- Criteria for the Clinical Use of IVIg Australia
The NBA, through the Blood Counts Team, provided support to the Jurisdictional Blood Committee IVIg Working Party overseeing the development of the Criteria for the Clinical Use of Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIg) in Australia.
The process to review arrangements for the use and supply of IVIg in Australia began in 2004. Two literature reviews, a cost effectiveness review, two broad consultation processes, and the commissioning of a report on the use of IVIg in Australia were undertaken to inform the development process. In October 2006 this work culminated in the release to the clinical community of a draft document that describes clinical criteria for the use of IVIg in Australia. The document was also the focus of a clinicians workshop held in November 2006 in Sydney.
A second draft was circulated broadly for comment in March 2007. Written submissions from this round were considered by the IVIg Working Party and a panel of clinical experts and final amendments to the document have been made in the light of those considerations.
The Criteria for the Clinical Use of Intravenous Immunoglobulin in Australia (i) identifies the conditions and circumstances recommended by experts for IVIg therapy; (ii) categorises those conditions in accordance with the available evidence of effectiveness; and (iii) describes diagnostic, qualifying, exclusion review criteria for the use of IVIg in those circumstances. The document also provides an overview of the manufacture, supply and safety aspects of IVIg.
The Criteria replaced the AHMAC 2000 recommendations on the use and supply of IVIg in Australia
Haemovigilance and data
- National Haemovigilance
This project is a major initiative of the NBA. It involves developing the reporting and governance frameworks for a voluntary haemovigilance program for Australia. It aims to report on serious transfusion related adverse events occurring in both public and private hospitals.
The project's working group is comprised of experts in transfusion medicine and science, nursing and epidemiology from both the private and public healthcare sectors. The group aims to facilitate data capture through existing State and Territory incident management systems, and produce an annual publication of adverse event types and rates for public consumption.
This initiative will contribute to our understanding of peri-transfusion errors, incrementally improve safety and quality, and ultimately deliver better transfusion outcomes.
- Redevelopment of the Australian Bleeding Disorders Registry
Project Aim
Develop and implement a system that provides clinical, treatment product and patient demographic information on people with haemophilia, von Willebrand's disease and other bleeding disorders for all stakeholders.
Background
The Australian Bleeding Disorder Registry (ABDR) is collection of data sourced from 16 Haemophilia Treatment Centres (HTC's) in Australian states and territories. It is currently funded by the National Blood Authority (NBA).
The ABDR is primarily used to improve clinical practice in the treatment of people with haemophilia, von Willebrand's disease and other bleeding disorders. In addition, it provides associated stakeholders with various reports and information relating to the supply and management of blood products used in the treatment of haemophilia, von Willebrand's disease and bleeding disorders.
The ABDR was established almost 15 years ago and has been supported by governments from 1995 onwards. At this time an agreement was reached to fund HTC's to establish a national focus for the registry to improve the availability of information relating to bleeding disorders.
Stakeholders are seeking further improvements in the ABDR to ensure completeness of data currently collected and increased reporting capacity to meet individual stakeholder needs.
- Red Cell Usage
Both the NSW state government through the Clinical Excellence Commission and the South Australia Department of Health are investigating blood cell usage. The National Blood Authority will facilitate sharing of learnings from these investigations and encourage other states to undertake similar investigations. Results from these investigations will contribute to inter-state comparisons and facilitate a better understanding of the variance of red cell usage and wastage. Both the NSW and SA investigations intend to tap into existing data sets for this quality assurance exercise.
Education, information sharing & best practice
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E-learning
The South Australian (SA) Government has funded and developed an e-learning program that aims to build an individual’s knowledge of blood and to encourage safe transfusion practice and the appropriate use of blood components. It is a web based program that is suitable for a range of professionals in the transfusion chain:
- nurses and midwives
- doctors
- laboratory scientists and technicians
- dedicated learning path for couriers, porters and assistants
This program has been developed initially as a pilot to assist with the implementation of EQuIP4 in SA. The pilot program is underway with national funding being provided to develop a national governance and funding model. To date the response to this program has been very positive with it being used by a range of health professional not only in SA but across Australia and internationally.
Further information on the program can be found at https://www.bloodsafelearning.org.au/
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