A history of haemovigilance South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital 2000 - Present

Abstract

The Haemovigilance speciality defines itself as nursing and subscribes to the overall purpose, functions and ethical standards of nursing. The clinical practice role may be divided into direct and indirect care. Direct care comprises the assessment, planning, delivery and evaluation of care to patients. Indirect care relates to activities that influence others in their provision of direct care. The Haemovigilance Officer as a clinical professional in the Irish healthcare environment is required to maintain professional competency and this is achieved through continuous ongoing education and training, attending in-service study days, conferences locally and nationally. While attending various conferences numerous posters have been presented which have showcased the hospital’s work. Evidence of continuous professional development is contained in Appendix 1. Mission Statement: In collaboration with nursing staff, medical staff and the Irish Blood Transfusion Service, the Haemovigilance Officer strives to deliver an effective, efficient, cost effective and quality transfusion service for the patients of the SIVUH through ongoing education, surveillance and clinical audit. (Reviewed August 2011). Haemovigilance is internationally recognised as essential to the development of safe clinical transfusion practice. As the time of writing this report, the hospital in the context of the Reconfiguration of Health services for the Cork and Kerry region, is in a transitional phase as the hospital moves from an acute general hospital to an elective and largely surgical hospital. Such changes in the nature and type of clinical service provision will naturally impact on the requirement for blood and blood products.