Blood Supply Stewardship for South Australia Policy

Version 2.2 approved 7 August 2022

The purpose of the Blood Supply Stewardship for South Australia Policy (PDF 385KB) is to establish the basis for blood and blood product stewardship by promoting the safe, responsible, and appropriate use of blood and blood products with a view to optimising patient outcomes. Broad stewardship expectations for the blood sector are outlined in the 2010 Australian Health Ministers' Conference Statement on National Stewardship Expectations for the Supply of Blood and Blood Products. The National Blood Agreement also requires blood supply stewardship activities to be undertaken within jurisdictions (clause 26).

Applicability

This policy applies to all employees of SA Health services that receive blood and blood products, including, but not limited to, hospitals, health centres, SA Pathology and SA Ambulance Service.

The principles of this policy are also strongly recommended to all non-public health care providers who interact with SA Health. Private hospital and pathology providers who utilise government funded blood and blood products should seek to adopt these measures in their own organisations.