A colleague in Los Angeles wonders if any of the e-Network Forum participants are aware of (or use) an assessment tool to measure the competence of physicians to transfuse blood products safely. The inquiring colleague is aware of reports of tools for measuring the competence of transfusionists to administer blood products safely, as listed below:

• Shulman IA, et al. Monitoring transfusionist practices: a strategy for improving transfusion safety. Transfusion. 1994 Jan;34(1):11-5.
• Shulman IA, Saxena S, Ramer L. Assessing blood administering practices. Arch Pathol Lab Med. 1999 Jul;123(7):595-8.
• Whitsett CF, Robichaux MG. Assessment of blood administration procedures: problems identified by direct observation and administrative incident reporting. Transfusion. 2001 May;41(5):581-6.

However she is not aware of a tool designed specifically for physicians. Please share examples of assessment tools that are used to measure the competence of physicians to administer blood products. Comments on the effectiveness of these tools would also be appreciated.

The following responses have been received.

ADDENDA May 26, 2004

1. A colleague in Australia reports that he is aware of a physicians' educational tool which can be found at the following site http://sunnybrook.nextmovelearning.com/. However, he comments that the use of the site requires registration and a user's fee.

Please submit comments to the e-Network Forum.

Ira A. Shulman, MD
CBBS e-Network Forum Editor & Moderator