Should nurses prescribe blood components?

AIM

To explore the feasibility of nurses prescribing blood components.

METHOD

Using a convenience snowball sample, a UK-wide questionnaire survey was undertaken to identify transfusion practices and canvass the opinions of nurses and doctors.

RESULTS

A total of 179 (59%) of 302 respondents were supportive of nurses prescribing blood components, saying it would have a positive effect on the quality of patient care, result in fewer treatment delays and help doctors and nurses to use their time more effectively. The remaining 123 (41%) respondents had reservations about time and resource constraints and worries about undermining medical care and responsibility.

CONCLUSION

Development of non-medical prescribing to allow nurses to prescribe blood components has the potential to deliver a more patient-centred quality service.