Vol. 2, Issue 5, Part D (2016)

The science of blood transfusion dates to the first decade of the 19^th century, with the discovery of distinct blood types leading to the practice of mixing some blood from the donor and the receiver before the transfusion. In 1818, Dr. James Blundell, a British obstetrician, performed the first successful blood transfusion of human blood, for the treatment of postpartum hemorrhage.

World Health Organisation (WHO) states that a blood transfusion is the transfer of blood or blood products from one person (donor) to another person’s bloodstream (recipient). This is usually done as a lifesaving maneuver to replace blood cells or blood products lost through severe bleeding, during Surgery when blood lost occur or to increase the blood count in an anemia patient.

Every year, nearly 5 million people in the United States receive life-saving blood transfusion. Blood is transfused either as a whole blood or part of blood such as Red Blood cells, platelets, and plasma. The Food and Drug administration and other organizations that collect blood make sure that blood is safe. Every single donation is tested for HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, syphilis and several other diseases that can be transmitted through blood.

Methodology

Quantitative research approach was utilized to assess the knowledge regarding administration of Blood transfusion among the staff Nurses and nursing students in NMCH, Nellore. The sample size was 60, of the 30 were staff nurses and 30 were student nurses. Non-probability convenience sampling technique was used for selection. of subjects. Semi structured questionnaire was used to assess the knowledge of staff nurses and student nurses regarding administration of Blood transfusion

Results

Level of knowledge regarding jejunostomy feeding among staff nurses, 1(6.6%) had inadequate knowledge, 7(46.7%) had moderately adequate knowledge and 7(46.7%) had adequate knowledge. Shows that with regard to knowledge regarding jejunostomy feeding among nursing students, 1(6.7%) had inadequate knowledge, 9 (60%) had moderate knowledge and 5(33.3%) had adequate knowledge.

Conclusion

The study concluded that majority of staff nurses had moderately adequate knowledge when compare to nursing students.