Evaluation of the use of safety-cards-AB as a new tool of bedside ultimate test

Abstract

Introduction: The ultimate pre-transfusion control at the patient's bedside is essential for the immunological safety of transfusion. The aim of this study is to evaluate the knowledge of the health staff concerning the use of safety card AB as a new tool of bedside ultimate testing. Methods: A cross sectionnal study was conducted in march 2018. The information was gathered by using an anonymous questionnaire. Medical and paramedical staff involved in transfusion participated. The questions were related to their professionnal profile, their practice and interpretation of the safety card AB (3 situations : isogroup compatible, non isogroup compatible, incompatible). Results: The survey involved 50 participants, 42 (84 %) accepted to answer the questionnaire. Among the participants, 19.04% had continuous theorical transfusion training. In the interpretation section of the questionnaire, the global rate of good answers was 50% (78.57% in doctors, 18.18% in nurses and 40% in technicians). The rate of good answers was of 80% in the interpretation of an isogroup compatible situation, 53.33% in the non isogroup compatible situation and 90% in the incompatible situation. The difference was statistically significant between doctors and non doctors in the non isogroup compatible situation. Conclusion: The knowledge and practice of the health staff concerning the use of the safety card AB is inadequate. The implementation of a teaching program and procedures is required.