A brief précis of each project is provided below, with a contact name and address should you require any further information on the project.

FFP/Haemostasis Study (ISOC)

This is a collaborative project with the National Blood Service and ICUs in Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland to assess the prevalence of coagulopathy in adult ICUs in the UK and associated use of Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP). The study will provide background data for development of RCT on FFP use. Over 2000 patients have been recruited at 29 sites to participate in the study.

Age of Blood (ABLE) Study

A collaborative project with the Canadian Transfusion Trials Group primarily looking at the current age profile of blood given to ICU patients. Current focus of the project is to determine whether the study is feasible in the UK.

Contact: Douglas Watson, Clinical Trials Co-ordinator
Tel: 0131 536 5945
Email: douglas.watson@snbts.csa.scot.nhs.uk

Euroblood Substitutes: Risk Perception Survey

This study is part of a European funded project aimed at exploring the development of blood substitutes and aims to identify current perceptions associated with the current blood transfusion alternatives.

The project was divided into two phases:

• an inital questionnaire was used to collect data from 1,000 members of the general public. Additional questions were added to the questionnaire for health care experts, patient representatives and general managers to cover alternatives to blood substitutes;
• a survey aimed at an understanding of peoples' beliefs about the risks associated with blood transfusion and alternatives has been carried out with blood donors in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Contact: Joyce Palmer, Transfusion Nurse Specialist
Tel: 0131 536 5966
Email: joyce.palmer@snbts.csa.scot.nhs.uk

Nurse Prescribing

In collaboration with the National Blood Service, this project aims to identify current practice and attitudes to nurse prescribing of blood components. The survey will review current practice and canvas the opinion of nurses and doctors on role development in this area. The investigators will make recommendations for the direction of practice.

Contact: Liz Pirie, Transfusion Nurse Specialist
Tel: 0131 536 5966
Email: liz.pirie@snbts.csa.scot.nhs.uk