During recent discussions with colleagues it is of concern to hear that staff numbers are being further cut at some sites due to the transfusion teams instigating good patient blood management practices. For senior management to define a transfusion lab staffing levels based merely on number of units issued/ transfused is very short sighted, and will not help to achieve the quality practices we are aiming for . The amount of work to supervise, train,educate, mentor staff to help our clinicians make the correct transfusion decisions and prevent inappropriate blood use, and suggesting more appropriate treatments is far more important- and reduces overall blood use, which in turn promotes better patient care.
Again, another example where short term cost savings in pathology are the priority and patient care is not.
Be good to hear from sites where this is happening.
Best wishes
Rashmi