Abstract
M.Cur.
Awareness of the growing list of potential and
inherent risks and hazards associated with receiving
donor blood has created a mushrooming interest in
alternatives to blood transfusion. Despite the fact that
there are programmes, protocols and guidelines in
place in the private health sector, blood conservation
has not got off the ground.
Therefore the aim of this study was to explore and
describe the perceptions of health-care professionals
regarding blood conservation in the private health
sector. An exploratory descriptive contextual design
was employed. Data was collected through the use of
semi-structured focus group and individual interviews.
Conceptualisation as well as data from the interviews
served as the basis for the formulation of guidelines
for health-care professionals to improve blood
conservation. The results of this research show that
the interaction among health-care professionals are
negatively influenced by the lack of communication,
feedback, support and uncertainty, a lack of trust,
education, planning, implementation, involvement,
commitment and co-ordination. Therefore the outcome
of blood conservation cannot be achieved. Effective
communication, education and participatory
management have to improve in order for these
negative factors to be overcome. It is recommended
that these guidelines be implemented to improve
blood conservation in the private health sector.
Conclusions, limitations and further recommendations
were made based on the results of this study.