National Transfusion Record

The National Transfusion Record (NTR) main form is the standard form to be used for the majority of blood component transfusions.

The NTR short form is the form that is available for use ONLY in the following circumstances:

• Your patient having a major haemorrhage and is unable to consent
• You have run out of space to authorise further components during the same patient episode on the NTR main form
• Your patient is on a long-term regular transfusion programme. Use the NTR main form for the initial transfusion episode. The NTR short form can then be used for subsequent transfusions. Consent should be formally renewed if the patient raises any concerns or expresses a wish to review consent, or if new information has become available, for example about the risks of transfusion or any other treatment options. When consent is formally renewed, please start a new NTR main form.

The NTR main form can be found here.

The NTR short form can be found here

How I order?

The NTR can be ordered via your local Health Board process.

Consent guidance and resources

The pre-transfusion discussion, reason for the transfusion and outcome of each transfusion episode must be documented in the patient’s clinical record.

To access the Guidelines from the expert advisory committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs (SaBTO) this can be accessed here.

To access the Consent for Blood Transfusion for Joint UK Blood Transfusion and Tissue Transplantation Services Professional Advisory Committee guidance, which provides information for patients and healthcare practitioners, this can be accessed here.

Patient information leaflets including ‘Receiving a blood transfusion’ and other transfusion information leaflets can be found here.

TACO guidance and resources

To access the SHOT TACO definition and TACO risk reduction measures (see FAQs), these can be found here.

To access the TACO risk assessment tool, this can be found here.

The Single Unit Guidance can also be found here.

Authorisation guidance and resources

Prior to authorising each component, consider:

• Do you need to review or renew consent?
• Has the patient’s TACO risk changed?
• Is the blood component still indicated (consider patient condition)?

To access the NHS MHRA and UKCA Marked blood transfusion Red Cell Dosage Calculator Software App, this can be found here and/or provide agreed RCC dosage formula (adults) and RCC dosage formula (paediatric).

Please note there is a cost associated to Health Boards that wish to use the Red Cell Calculator.

To access the NICE guidlines, these can be accessed here. See section 1.2 for guidance on single unit transfusion approach for non-bleeding patients.

Special requirements can be accessed here. Please refer to your Board’s transfusion policy.

Administration guidance and resources

To access the SHOT Pre-administration Blood Component Checking Process, this can be found here.

Reaction management guidance and resources

To access the Guideline on the investigation and management of acute transfusion reactions, this can be found here.