Knowledge and Practice of Blood Transfusion by Nurses at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana

Objective: To assess the knowledge and practice of nurses and midwivies in blood transfusion at Komfo Anokye Teaching. Hospital.

Methodology: This study used the descriptive cross-sectional approach with a total population of 280 Nurses and Midwives from Accident and Emergency, Surgical, Medical and Obstetric and Gyaenacology wards of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. The total number of nurses and midwives working in the hospital is 1194. The sample comprised 280 nurses and midwives working in the selected wards of the hospital.

Results: Most respondents (67.1%) had never participated in an in-service training programme on blood transfusion. Among those who had attended, 15.3% attended once, 7.1% twice, 5.1% thrice and 1.4% more than thrice. Further training needs identified by respondents included sampling (38.9%), administration of blood transfusion (35.4%), adverse reactions (46.1%) and serious hazards (35.4%). Ninety-two nurses and midwives constituting 32.4% indicated there were no written blood administration policy whiles 11.6% did not know of its existence. Among those who indicated there was blood administration policy, the majority (76.1%) had read the policy whereas 23.9% had never done so. Among those who said there was no blood administration policy or who had no knowledge of its existence, almost all except one (124) thought there was a need for one.

Conclusion: In conclusion, this study demonstrates a huge knowledge and training gap for blood transfusion among nurses and midwives at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.