 | Author(s) | | | Swann T |
| Publication | | | Care of the Critically Ill |
| Reference | | | Vol. 19 (5) |
| Publication Date | | | October 2003 |
|  |  Relevant to nurses in haematology, identifying the development of these roles to improve transfusion practice.
The number of these new roles has been increasing due to the directives from the NHS executive circular, this recommended the appointment of specialist practitioners to develop the role acting as an expert practitioner, educator, change agent, and researcher.
The paper explores each of these roles
Expert practitioner - policy guidelines were produced at all stages of the transfusion pathway, this policy was based on the national guidelines and all staff involved in the pathway were educated Educator - the transfusion practitioner is responsible for the education of all staff at each point of the pathway including junior and senior medical staff, nursing, portering and laboratory staff. Monitor - Auditing the procedures ensuring that the policy is followed and any incidents or near misses are investigated.
Communication - between departments
Change agent - Following recommendations from national guidelines and new findings the transfusion practitioner enabled change to improve current practice.
This paper gives an insight into this new role showing the value and reason for the post.
Comment by: Tracey Burgoyne, Lecturer Practitioner Cancer Care, University of Central England Birmingham, 2004.
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