National Transfusion Dataset

The Challenge

One in 3 Australians will need a blood transfusion sometime in their life, according to Monash University. In supporting research to improve the quality of life of those living with blood disorders, Monash created the Massive Transfusion Registry (MTR), which captures massive transfusion data across all clinical contexts from 25 hospitals in Australia and New Zealand.

There is a need to expand the Registry to capture not just massive transfusions, but all transfusions in all settings, including pre-hospital, hospital and in the community.

The Response

This project expanded the data coverage of Monash University’s MTR and created a comprehensive data asset of transfusion practice linked with laboratory data and clinical outcomes.

The National Transfusion Dataset describes numbers and characteristics of patients transfused prehospital (for example, by ambulance/retrieval services), in hospital, or in the community, the reasons for, and outcomes of transfusion. This data asset includes data on all (not just massive) transfusions.

Linking the National Transfusion Dataset with clinical registry data shows how and why blood products are used and the clinical outcomes of transfused patients.

Who Will Benefit

Government agencies, researchers, research organisations, clinicians and healthcare agencies benefit from a common ‘front door’ providing coordinated access to transfusion datasets managed by partner organisations. The adoption of common standards and workflows increases the quality and interoperability of the available data.

The Partners

Our partners are:

• Monash University
• Ambulance Victoria
• Blood Synergy
• Myeloma and Related Diseases Registry
• Lymphoma and Related Diseases Registry
• Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society
• Pre-hospital Emergency Care Australia and New Zealand
• Aplastic Anaemia and Other Bone Marrow Failure Syndromes Registry.

Outcomes

This project streamlines access to a comprehensive national dataset of transfusion practice and creates new research opportunities to inform national transfusion policy and practice, improving blood utilisation and patient management outcomes.

Key Resources

Learn more and access the dataset via the National Transfusion Dataset.