Blood transfusion: assessment of student knowledge

Objective: to evaluate the theoretical knowledge and practical attitudes of third year anaesthesia - resuscitation, nursing and midwifery students concerning blood transfusion (BT). Analytical descriptive study in the form of a questionnaire directed to students in nursing and midwifery. Ninety students were included, of which 33% were anesthesia/resuscitation, 33% nursing and 33% midwifery. It was found that one third of the students did not attend an ultimate bedside test. The majority of students attended the ultimate test in the operating room. Only half of the nursing students knew the ABO compatibility rules for platelets. It was found that there were students who were unaware of ABO compatibility rules for transfusion of RGCs, especially among those who did not attend any transfusion. More than half of the students did not know the workup required in case of a transfusion accident. Conclusion: Several theoretical and practical gaps were found. Hence the importance of continuing education in order to limit transfusion incidents and accidents.