Training activity information
Details
Apply patient blood management principles to optimise care of patients who may require a blood transfusion during pregnancy
Type
Developmental training activity (DTA)
Evidence requirements
Evidence the activity has been undertaken by the trainee.
Reflection on the activity at one or more time points after the event including learning from the activity and/or areas of the trainees practice for development.
An action plan to implement learning and/or to address skills or knowledge gaps identified.
Considerations
- Pre, peri and post-delivery anaemia management
- Cell salvage during delivery
- Considerations for different patient cohorts
- Current guidelines
- Alternative interventions for patients who refuse blood components
Reflective practice guidance
The guidance below is provided to support reflection at different time points, providing you with questions to aid you to reflect for this training activity. They are provided for guidance and should not be considered as a mandatory checklist. Trainees should not be expected to provide answers to each of the guidance questions listed.
Before action
- What is your current understanding of patient blood management (PBM) principles? How do these principles apply specifically to pregnant patients who may require blood transfusions?
- What factors influence the decision to transfuse a pregnant patient and the selection of appropriate blood components?
- What are the relevant guidelines and protocols for patient blood management in the context of pregnancy within your laboratory or institution?
- Will you discuss specific case scenarios with your training officer to understand how PBM principles are applied in practice?
- What are the key challenges in applying PBM principles to optimise care for pregnant patients requiring transfusion?
- What specific strategies can be employed to minimise the need for transfusion and ensure appropriate blood component selection?
- How do you feel about applying these principles in potentially complex obstetric cases?
In action
- Pay attention to how you are applying PBM principles in this specific case. What factors are you considering to optimise the patient’s care and potentially avoid or minimise transfusion?
- What decisions are you making regarding the assessment of the patient’s need for transfusion, the selection of appropriate blood components, and strategies to minimise risks?
- How effective are you in identifying opportunities to apply PBM strategies in this scenario? Are you considering all relevant aspects, such as anaemia management, minimising blood loss, and appropriate transfusion thresholds?
- What challenges are you facing in balancing the risks and benefits of transfusion with PBM principles in a pregnant patient?
- Are there alternative PBM strategies you could consider depending on the specific clinical circumstances of the pregnant patient?
- What support or guidance might you need from senior colleagues or relevant guidelines to ensure you are applying PBM principles effectively and safely in this context?
- Are you ensuring that your approach aligns with national and local guidelines for patient blood management in pregnancy?
On action
- What patient scenario did you consider in this activity?
- What were the key clinical details? What specific patient blood management (PBM) principles did you apply?
- What were your considerations regarding the patient’s need for transfusion, potential alternatives, and the selection of appropriate blood components?
- What were the potential benefits and risks you considered in your application of PBM principles?
- How did your reflect-in-action during this activity influence your approach to optimising the patient’s care?
- Did you enhance your understanding of how to apply PBM principles specifically in the context of pregnancy?
- Did you learn more about the specific blood component requirements for pregnant patients?
- Were there any challenges in applying PBM principles in this scenario? What did you learn from these challenges?
- How did your reflection-in-action contribute to your understanding of balancing the need for transfusion with PBM strategies in pregnancy?
- How does this experience relate to the broader goal of optimising patient care in post-programme practice?
- What aspects of applying PBM principles in pregnancy do you need to develop further?
- How will you integrate the knowledge gained from this experience into your future decision-making regarding blood transfusions in pregnant patients?
- What actions will you take to deepen your understanding of PBM guidelines and their application in obstetric settings?
- What resources or support would be valuable for your continued learning in this area?
Beyond action
- Have you had subsequent opportunities to evaluate and re-evaluate situations where you applied patient blood management (PBM) principles for pregnant patients who might need a blood transfusion?
- Have you compared these experiences with other cases involving blood transfusion in pregnancy, considering the specific PBM strategies employed and their outcomes?
- Have you revisited your initial reflections (reflect-on-action) on this training activity? What further insights have you gained regarding the application of PBM principles in the unique context of pregnancy?
- How has this training activity enhanced your ability to apply patient blood management principles when considering the care of pregnant patients who may require a blood transfusion?
- Has this experience influenced your understanding of the special blood requirements for pregnancies and the importance of optimising haematological indices, aligning with the broader goal of patient blood management?
- Consider how this activity has contributed to your understanding of a patient-centred approach to care, where PBM strategies are implemented to optimise patient outcomes and minimise the need for transfusion where possible.
- What transferable skills, such as critical thinking in complex clinical scenarios, decision-making regarding blood product use, and a focus on patient safety, did you develop or strengthen through this training activity that will be valuable in your future career?
- Identify clear actions for continued development in your understanding and application of patient blood management principles in obstetric settings. How will you stay informed about evolving best practices and guidelines?
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 1 |
Outcome
Practice in accordance with antenatal serology standards and guidelines. |
| # 6 |
Outcome
Identify and advise healthcare professionals on appropriate actions to manage HDFN. |
| # 7 |
Outcome
Develop management plans including selection of blood components for mother, fetus and neonates during pregnancy. |
| # 9 |
Outcome
Apply patient blood management principles during pregnancy. |