The aim of this developmental research thesis was to study the blood transfusion knowledge of the blood transfusion performing nurses in the South-Karelia Central hospital (EKKS). The aim was to develop the blood transfusion education in the Ekks and to improve and maintain the transfusion knowledge of the nursing staff, and by those aims increase the patient´s blood transfusion safety.

A multiprofessional working group was created for this thesis. The members of this group were the reseacher herself, the laboratory nurses of the EKKS blood transfusion center, and the anesthesia- and intensive care doctor, who also tutored this thesis. The blood transfusion lecture needed also collaboration with the experts of the Finnish Red Cros Blood Service (SPR). This developmental reseach thesis was three phased. Firstly, a literature research was conducted to cather evidence based information, and to explore the already done reseaches about the topic. The EKKS present blood transfusion teaching methods and transfusion assosiated HaiPro reports were also explored. Secondly, a Webropol based Blood transfusion-knowledge -survey with feedback function was created, executed and analysed. The survey was sent to 382 nurses in six different special nursing sectors within EKKS and 148 nurses answered it. The results were tabulated in Excel and analysed with IBM SPSS 24.0. They were reported in frequensies, percentages and crosstabulations. Thirdly, a blood transfusion lecture and a Blood transfusion pocket card were created on the basis of the survey, and organisational needs for the whole South Carelian social and health care district (Eksote). The lecture was held as one topic in Eksote´s Clinical expert -lecture setting, where also a lecture feedback was cathered to assess the necessity and improvement of the lecture.

According to the survey, the blood transfusion knowledge of the nurses is mainly good, but in some blood transfusion areas there is significant lack of knowledge such as performing a biological pretest. Nurses felt the present teaching methods insufficient and expressed a need for more education.