This is a truncated version of MAP0009 Emergency Blood Management Plan.

See Appendix for the complete document.

The use of blood and blood products is a frequently used life saving treatment modality that has improved mortality and morbidity in some of the most vulnerable patient groups. Its use in managing anaemia of differing aetiology is a keystone of clinical management. The loss of blood supplies can therefore be seen to be a critical emergency for patients and health care providers.

The Ballarat Health Services Emergency Management Plan is a sub plan of the National Blood Supply Contingency Plan and integrates best Emergency Management and Transfusion practices. It is in-line with BHS Emergency Management Policies, Procedures, Manuals and Plans. The plan has been reviewed and approved by the BHS Emergency Planning Committee and BHS Transfusion Committee.

This is a truncated version of MAP0009 Emergency Blood Management Plan.

See Appendix for the complete document.

The Emergency Blood Management Plan (EBMP) outlines the process to be followed at Ballarat Health Services should the NBSCP be activated. The plan complies with the traffic light system of the NBSCP and describes actions required during each phase.

The objective of this plan is to ensure the appropriate use of blood at all times but especially when local blood stocks have fallen to very low levels.

This plan enacted by the BHS Emergency Blood Management Team, aims to work in line with the National Blood
Supply Contingency Plan (NBSCP) to ensure that;

• Overall blood usage is reduced
• Blood is available for essential transfusions to all patients across the country
• The most urgent cases receives available supply

This is a truncated version of MAP0009 Emergency Blood Management Plan.

See Appendix for the complete document.

Definition of a crisis
A crisis for the blood sector is defined as an event that causes a significant threat to the supply or demand for blood and blood products in Australia (or both), or an event that threatens the safety of patients. Supply failure, demand surge or a risk to public health may require the plan to be invoked. These events may occur in isolation, in tandem or sequentially.

Supply failure
Based on the risk threat assessment undertaken to guide this plan, supply failures could arise from:

• Significant decrease in the volume or quality of fresh blood components, or plasma-derived or recombinant products
• Manufacturer unable to produce a significant amount of product
• Significant loss of product through storage or distribution issue
• Significant batch failure or batch recall
• Contamination, or suspected contamination of products, has a significant impact on ability to supply products

Demand surge
Based on the risk threat assessment undertaken to guide this plan, demand failures could arise from:

• Multiple trauma patients
• Multiple burns patients
• Significant acute radiation or chemical incident
• Significant biological health incident

Public health risk
As identified by the risk threat assessment, a supply failure may also be triggered by a possible public health risk to patients arising from a transfusion-transmitted infection (TTI), because the product is withdrawn or recalled to prevent further contamination. A management response specific to these circumstances is required. To be effective, it must integrate the inter-dependencies of other contingency arrangements.

Acute versus chronic shortage
A supply failure, demand surge or a public health situation may create an acute or a chronic shortage. An acute crisis may, after time, become a chronic shortage. In extreme circumstances, Australia may face a chronic blood supply shortage while concurrently managing an acute crisis.

Red cell response process
To meet clinical demand of fresh blood components in the event of a crisis, there is an escalation and a de-escalation process to guide the blood sectors response. The red blood cell response process comprises four operational phases, in line with the framework established under the NBSCP.

Acronyms and abbreviations

This is a truncated version of MAP0009 Emergency Blood Management Plan.

See Appendix for the complete document.

This is a truncated version of this Emergency Management Plan.

See Appendix for the complete document.