ICN is also bringing attention to the key role that nurses play in maintaining a safe blood supply. The availability of healthy blood and the safety of that supply must be guaranteed to all, said ICN President Kirsten Stallknecht.
Nurses have a key role in ensuring blood safety.
Through their vigilance in practising safe injection techniques, nurses can minimise the transmission of blood borne pathogens by injection. Nurses are also strategically placed to help people safeguard their health and care for their blood. Nurses promote good nutrition, proper hygiene and early treatment of disease, provide counselling about healthy life styles, help combat drug use and promote blood donor programs - all of which all of which are important in maintaining an individual s blood quality and the quality of the global blood supply. Blood represents the life force in all human beings, providing defence against disease, aiding the transportation of oxygen and other nutrients throughout the body, and the evacuation of waste products. The transfusion of healthy blood can save lives and cure disease.