The Final Safeguard: Nurses’ Knowledge Regarding Safe Blood Transfusion and its Determinants — An Analytical, Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Blood transfusion is a life-saving but inherently risky intervention, and nurses represent the final safeguard against transfusion-related errors at the bedside. Despite this critical role, knowledge gaps among nursing staff remain a persistent concern, particularly in resource-strained healthcare settings such as Pakistan. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the level of knowledge regarding safe blood transfusion among nurses working in the medical and surgical wards of Fauji Foundation Hospital, Kallar Kahar, and to determine the association between nurses' knowledge and their demographic characteristics. Methods: An analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted among 110 nurses, selected through convenience sampling, using a structured, self-administered questionnaire covering demographic variables and transfusion-related knowledge. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Most nurses (60.0%) demonstrated good knowledge, 16.4% demonstrated excellent knowledge, and 23.6% demonstrated poor knowledge; combining the good and excellent categories, 76.4% of nurses had an acceptable overall level of knowledge. Age (ρ = 0.276, p = 0.041), level of education (H(2) = 9.86, p = 0.007), and years of experience (ρ = 0.389, p = 0.002) were each significantly associated with knowledge scores. Gender could not be examined, as the entire sample (100%, n = 110) was female. Conclusion: Nurses generally demonstrated an acceptable level of knowledge regarding safe blood transfusion, though meaningful gaps remained, particularly among younger, less experienced, and less formally educated nurses. Targeted, experience- and qualification-informed training programs are recommended to strengthen transfusion safety practices.