Pre-operative autologous blood banking : a Maltese health carer perspective

Abstract

The aim of this exploratory study was to investigate Maltese health care professionals' perceptions of Pre-Operative Autologous Blood Banking. This study was conducted through the participation of seven health carers coming from different departments connected to the surgical services offered at St. Luke's General Hospital. Data was collected through the use of a focused interview, which was tape recorded. The discussion generated was transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis. Results from this study indicate that most health carers do not know about the availability of this service in the local setting. The study's participants perceived this service as being beneficial for a particular set of clients who fall into certain criteria as discussed by the participants themselves. Advantages attributed to this service were identified, and the participants also discussed the gain the local setting could derive from this service. This study also revealed local barriers of the use of this service, and the participants also revealed benefits other societies derive from this service which would not apply to the Maltese community. Moreover, the participants identified the need of comprehensive education about this service both at a professional level and public level so as to further aid this service to eventually materialize. As a result of this study, suggestions and recommendations for practice were identified and suggestions for further research were presented.