You are invited to provide comment on the draft document: 

“Patient Blood Management: Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice”. 

TO TAKE PART:

  • Click the above hyperlink to open and review the document.
  • Provide your comments by email to: [email protected] 
  • Be sure to cite specific page and line numbers that apply to your comments, as necessary. 

DEADLINE FOR COMMENT SUBMISSION: Friday, March 1st, 2024.  

Background: The American Nurses Association (ANA) publishes a 'Nursing Scope & Standards of Practice' by which all practicing nurses in the United States (US) must adhere. Nurse associations around the world likewise establish standards that all nurses practicing in that country must meet. 

The ANA (like other nursing associations) also recognizes unique or 'specialty' areas of nursing practice. Each of these 'Nursing Specialty' areas are well-defined by a unique Scope and Standards of Practice specific to that care area.  

There are nearly 30 Nursing Specialty areas of practice recognized globally. Examples include Critical Care, Cardiovascular, Palliative Care, Oncology, Rehabilitation, Wound Care, Neuroscience, and Informatics, to name only a few. 

Problem: To date, the practice of 'Patient Blood Management (PBM)' is not formally defined or recognized as a Nursing Specialty. Because of this, "PBM Nursing" is misunderstood and often mischaracterized as 'transfusion-focused', 'transfusion safety focused', and other.  

Purpose of project:

  • To establish a “PBM Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice” that clearly defines the unique practice setting of PBM and the activities of nurses practicing in this area, aligning with the global definition of PBM.
  • To achieve formal recognition of PBM as a unique Nursing Specialty practice area.  

Benefits:

  • Offers numerous opportunities to improve quality of nursing practice and raise awareness about the field of PBM.
  • Supports and aligns with the global definition of PBM.
  • Enables the documented benefits of nursing specialty care, as they apply to patients, healthcare institutions, and nursing professionals. 

The greater goal is to achieve global recognition of the PBM Specialty, by nursing associations worldwide. 

After formal recognition is achieved, next steps to enhance the specialty may include establishment of certification process with qualifying exam, minimum hours of practice, and more.  

Process to achieve recognition of a nursing specialty: Within the US, recognition of nursing specialties is governed by the ANA. The application requires a detailed description of the practice area, development of practice standards, an opportunity for public comment, and finally, submission for review and decision by the ANA Board of Directors. 

Your feedback is valuable to ensure a high-quality application. Thank you for your consideration to take part.