Inventory management

Streamline the ordering, storage, handling and issue of blood products to maintain a reliable and efficient supply for patient care.

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National inventory template (NIT)

The NIT is a twice-daily report providing transparency on blood component inventory levels and availability across Lifeblood and transfusion laboratories.

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National blood supply contingency plan (NBSCP)

Developed by the National Blood Authority, the NBSCP establishes a national framework for managing critical blood product shortages, ensuring preparedness and efficient response.

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Monitoring wastage

Hospitals and laboratories can implement a number of strategies to reduce wastage of blood products.

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Non-conforming products

The issue of unscreened, partially screened or non-conforming product will only be warranted in circumstances where the potential harm of not being transfused is significantly outweighed by the potential risk.

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Quarantine

Certain blood products may be quarantined due to safety concerns and must not be transfused until the quarantine is removed. Quarantine ensures patient safety by addressing transport issues, donor recalls, and quality concerns.

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Emergency provision of red cells

In emergency situations, it’s important for individuals requesting a transfusion to clearly inform the laboratory staff of the urgency of transfusion.

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Maximum surgical blood order schedules (MSBOS)

MSBOS is a guideline to determine appropriate red cell orders for surgical patients, ensuring efficient blood use and minimising wastage. Tailored MSBOS policies help optimise inventory management and support timely transfusion practices.

Updated May 2025

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