National standards for blood transfusion aimed at improving the health and safety of patients were announced yesterday by Health Minister Joe Cassar.

The standards, issued by the Superintendence for Public Health, provide a framework for health care establishments and providers to draft their own internal policies, guidelines and standard operating procedures.

Dr Cassar said 8,219 patients at Mater Dei Hospital received 19,000 units of blood last year.

Only 45 reactions were reported, most of them mild, such as fever and allergic reactions.

There were no reactions related to blood quality and no mistakes were reported regarding the administration of blood, such as transfusing blood to the wrong patient.

The standards on blood transfusion are the first in a series being published by the superintendence as part of its regulatory function.

The aim is to provide an equitable high quality level of safe care for all those receiving a blood transfusion, irrespective of the health care setting in which this is provided.

They also ensure a uniform system for record keeping and reporting, which will facilitate both internal and external monitoring and evaluation.

The standards call for the inspection of the blood bag before each transfusion, patient monitoring, traceability and the reporting of adverse events and reactions.

They also cover the appropriate completion of a request for transfusions, positive patient identification and appropriate transport and storage of blood components.