Locating the correct volume on blood packs for calculating infusion rates

Due to a recent change made to the base label by the manufacturer, there may be instances where the Lifeblood component label doesn't overlay the base label information. This results in the pack’s maximum capacity being visible in the top right corner of the pack which could cause confusion.

The correct blood pack volume must be used when calculating the prescribed administration rate.

Do not use the maximum pack volume on the base label, which may be visible on some red cell packs due to the recent change in label format made by the pack manufacturer.

Below is a quick reference guide to our pack labels for you to refresh your knowledge.

Help shape the next Blood Book

Since 2020, the Blood Book: Australian Blood Administration Handbook has supported safe transfusion practices across Australia. As we prepare for its next edition, Lifeblood is conducting research to understand how well the Blood Book is meeting the needs of today’s clinical workforce.

We’re inviting clinicians—whether you’ve used the Blood Book or not—to take part in a short online survey. Your insights will help us improve transfusion education and support across the country.

UK Transfusion Safety Standards: Key benefits for transfusion laboratories

The SHOT Transfusion Safety Standards have been created to address ongoing and unresolved safety issues repeatedly identified by the UK’s SHOT haemovigilance scheme.

While these standards are written to support safe and effective transfusion in the UK, they can equally be applied to the Australian setting. Their aim is to ‘embed safe transfusion systems and processes into practice and organisational culture’.

For transfusion laboratories, the standards provide a comprehensive and structured, evidence-based framework to improve safety and efficiency.

Consultation open for third edition

Public consultation on the next edition of the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards is underway.

You can shape the development of the NSQHS Standards (third edition) and improve patient care in the future.

The updated edition will incorporate new evidence-based practices, emerging evidence and contemporary clinical governance approaches.

The Commission is seeking feedback in several ways, including written submissions, online surveys, face-to-face meetings and online focus groups.

Consultation will close 30 September 2025.

New audit report - O RhD negative RBCs

The Victorian Blood Matters program recently released findings from the 2024 audit on ‘The indications for the use of group O RhD negative red blood cells’.

The aim was to assess the use of O RhD negative red blood cells (RBCs) against Australian guidance and compare this with their 2017 audit.

To assess the impact of the 2023 National Statement for the Emergency Use of Group O Red Cells, the 2017 data was reanalysed to identify changes in practice following its release.

Their 2024 audit comprised of two components:

• Part 1: O RhD negative policy and inventory
• Part 2: O RhD negative RBC usage.

Significant opportunities to improve the alignment of policy with local practice were identified, with the report outlining a range of recommendations.

Join our expert-led webinar series

We’re excited to invite you to a two-part webinar series, From lab to life: Platelet immunoassay insights. Brought to you in collaboration with our Transplantation and Immunogenetics Services, this series offers a rare opportunity to explore the science behind platelet testing and highlight its real-world impact on patient care.

Episode 1: Principles and clinical applications of platelet testing

David Mahon will guide us through the core principles and techniques of platelet immunoassays performed at Lifeblood. Learn how these assays are conducted, their clinical indications, and the vital role they play in identifying compatible platelets to support these patients. 

Tuesday 9 September 2:00pm (AEST)

Register here

Episode 2: Case studies in platelet testing

Mark Burton will present compelling case studies illustrating how platelet immunoassays are used to diagnose and manage conditions such as fetal neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FNAIT) and platelet transfusion refractoriness (PTR). Learn how testing enables us to identify HPA-compatible platelets and provide effective treatment for these patients.

Tuesday 30 September 2:00pm (AEST)

Register here

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