Safety and quality monthly update - October

Medical Board of Australia (MBA) guidance on off-label and other non-prescription medicines

The MBA has recently published guidance on prescribing off-label, unapproved and compounded medicines.

Pretransfusion specimen rejection audit results

Blood Matters has released the Pretransfusion Specimen Collection and Rejection Audit Report 2026.

Correct labelling of request forms and specimens collected for grouping and screening is an essential step in safe transfusion practice, with specimen rejection being frustrating and potentially creating delays because specimens cannot be used. Rejection is due to a justifiable zero tolerance approach to specimen identification practiced by most health services. Of note, specimens collected in the operating theatre had amongst the highest rejection rates (7.7%) of all clinical areas, likely related in part to acuity and time pressure. 

The commonest reasons for rejection include mismatch or incomplete patient details on specimen and request, incomplete or inconsistent date and time information, and the absence of the collector's signature. Attention to these details is advised to ensure successful specimen compliance.

NSW Special Committee Investigating Deaths Under Anaesthesia

SCIDUA recently published its 2023 Annual Report

Jehovah's Witness makes announcement about acceptance and donation of main blood components

In September 2026, the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses announced that the “decision to accept red cells, white cells, plasma or platelets from another person’s blood is a matter of personal conscience.”

Arterial line catheters and monitoring complications reported to webAIRS

Arterial catheters are a cornerstone of modern anaesthesia and critical care, but even routine procedures can carry unexpected risks. A recent review of arterial line incidents reported to webAIRS between 2009 and 2023 in Anaesthesia & Intensive Care highlights the importance of remaining alert to complications ranging from insertion-related issues and equipment malfunctions to inaccurate blood pressure readings and human factors in monitoring. 

The findings serve as a timely reminder that careful preparation, meticulous technique and ongoing vigilance are essential to ensuring patient safety. By sharing experiences through webAIRS, anaesthetists contribute to a valuable culture of learning that helps identify emerging risks, prevent patient harm and improve outcomes across the specialty.

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