The long-term effects of training interventions on transfusion practice: a follow-up audit of red cell concentrate utilisation at Kimberley Hospital, South Africa.

This audit in chronically anaemic adult patients assesses whether red cell concentrate is transfused according to guidelines, and evaluates the impact of training interventions, compared with a similar audit conducted in 2010. Retrospectively, 25 transfusion episodes were audited for appropriateness, the investigation of anaemia, threshold achievement, wastage, and informed consent. After training interventions, a further 25 episodes were prospectively analysed. The effects of current training interventions were not shown to have a statistically significant impact. Compared to a 2010 audit, however, a statistically significant improvement was demonstrated in transfusion practice, suggesting that training interventions may lead to sustainable long-term improvements.