ASSESSING NURSES KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICES REGARDING SAFE BLOOD TRANSFUSION IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL OF ISLAMABAD

Abstract

Background:Safe blood transfusion is a crucial component of patient care, yet errors in transfusion  practices remain a major cause of preventable complications. Nurses play a central role in ensuring  transfusion safety; therefore, assessing their knowledge and practices is essential for improving  patient outcomes.

Objective: This study aimed to assess nurses’ knowledge and practices regarding safe blood transfusion in three tertiary care hospitals of Islamabad.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 168 bedside nurses selected through convenient sampling from Pakistan Institute of Health Sciences, Capital Development Authority Hospital, and Farooq Teaching Hospital. Data were collected using a structured, adopted questionnaire consisting of sections on demographic characteristics, knowledge, and practices related to safe blood transfusion. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 22, employing descriptive statistics and chi-square tests to determine associations.

Results: Findings revealed that 29.8% of nurses had low knowledge, 57.7% had moderate knowledge, and only 12.5% demonstrated high knowledge of safe blood transfusion. Knowledge level showed no significant association with age, gender, or hospital (p > 0.05). However,

qualification was significantly associated with knowledge (p = 0.005), with master’s-prepared nurses showing the highest proportion of high knowledge. Overall, the results indicate suboptimal knowledge among participants.

Conclusion: The study highlights the need for improved training and continuous professional development to enhance nurses’ knowledge and practices regarding safe blood transfusion. Strengthening transfusion education and implementing regular competency assessments may help reduce transfusion-related errors and improve patient safety.