Management of preoperative anaemia in patients undergoing elective surgery

Comprehensive Preoperative Assessment and Global Optimization

To successfully deliver greater perioperative value-based care and to effectively contribute to sustained and meaningful perioperative population health management, the scope of existing preoperative management and its associated services and care provider skills must be expanded. New models of preoperative management are needed, which rely extensively on continuously evolving evidence-based best practice, as well as telemedicine and telehealth, including mobile technologies and connectivity. Along with conventional comorbidity optimization, prehabilitation can effectively promote enhanced postoperative recovery. This article focuses on the opportunities and mechanisms for delivering value-based, comprehensive preoperative assessment and global optimization of the surgical patient.

Patient blood management implementation strategies and their effect on physicians' risk perception, clinical knowledge and perioperative practice - the frankfurt experience

INTRODUCTION

A multicomponent, evidence-based and interdisciplinary Patient Blood Management (PBM) program was introduced at the University Hospital Frankfurt in July 2013. The implementation strategy included practical and tactical components aimed to increase knowledge on the risks of preoperative anemia, to standardize hemotherapy, and to facilitate PBM components.

METHODS

This article analyzes barriers to PBM implementation and outlines a strategy to introduce and manifest PBM. The effects in Frankfurt were measured in a before and after questionnaire study distributed among groups of physicians immediately before and 1 year after PBM implementation.

RESULTS

142 clinicians completed the questionnaire in July 2013 and 101 clinicians in August 2014. Absolute certainty that the treatment of preoperative anemia favorably influences morbidity and mortality rose from 25 to 37%. Transfusion behavior seems to have been affected: In 2014, 56% of clinicians stated that they clinically reassess the patient and analyze hemoglobin following each single red blood cell unit compared to only 38% stating this in 2013.

CONCLUSION

These results show that our implementation strategy was effective in changing physicians' risk perception, attitude, and knowledge on PBM principles. Our experience highlights key success factors for the implementation of a comprehensive PBM program.

Evaluation of effectiveness and analysis of goal-directed blood transfusion in peri-operation of major orthopedic surgery in elderly patients

Through the establishment of blood transfusion-effectiveness assessment criteria, we aimed to evaluate and analyze the effectiveness of peri-operative red blood cell transfusion for major orthopedics in elderly patients. Male and female patients (n=106) with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) stage II-III, aged 60-80 years and scheduled for elective orthopedic surgery were randomly divided into 2 groups: group I (n=52), received the traditional method of red blood cell transfusion and group II (n=54) received hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (Hct) goal-directed red blood cell (RBC) transfusion. We compared the changes in Hb, Hct, RBC, platelet (PLT), prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), alveolar-arterial oxygen partial pressure [P(A-a)O(2)], oxygenation index (OI) and Vigileo monitoring indicators following RBC composition transfusion before and after surgery. We also monitored wound healing time, number of hospitalization days and intensive care unit (ICU) transfer rate. Blood transfusion-effectiveness assessment criteria were used to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Hb and Hct goal-directed RBC transfusion in orthopedic elderly patients. The two groups demonstrated an efficiency of 61.5 and 72.2%, respectively (P>0.05). The P(A-a)O(2) and OI in the two groups were not significantly different (P>0.05). Compared with the traditional RBC transfusion group, the Hb and Hct goal-directed RBC transfusion group presented increased RBC, Hb and Hct, as well as decreased PT and APTT and shorter wound healing time. The number of days of hospitalization and ICU transfer rate also decreased (P<0.05). The Hb and Hct goal-directed method for RBC transfusion was found to be more effective as a form of peri-operative RBC transfusion for major orthopedics in elderly patients.

Detection, evaluation, and management of preoperative anaemia in the elective orthopaedic surgical patient: NATA guidelines

Previously undiagnosed anaemia is common in elective orthopaedic surgical patients and is associated with increased likelihood of blood transfusion and increased perioperative morbidity and mortality. A standardized approach for the detection, evaluation, and management of anaemia in this setting has been identified as an unmet medical need. A multidisciplinary panel of physicians was convened by the Network for Advancement of Transfusion Alternatives (NATA) with the aim of developing practice guidelines for the detection, evaluation, and management of preoperative anaemia in elective orthopaedic surgery. A systematic literature review and critical evaluation of the evidence was performed, and recommendations were formulated according to the method proposed by the Grades of Recommendation Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) Working Group. We recommend that elective orthopaedic surgical patients have a haemoglobin (Hb) level determination 28 days before the scheduled surgical procedure if possible (Grade 1C). We suggest that the patient's target Hb before elective surgery be within the normal range, according to the World Health Organization criteria (Grade 2C). We recommend further laboratory testing to evaluate anaemia for nutritional deficiencies, chronic renal insufficiency, and/or chronic inflammatory disease (Grade 1C). We recommend that nutritional deficiencies be treated (Grade 1C). We suggest that erythropoiesis-stimulating agents be used for anaemic patients in whom nutritional deficiencies have been ruled out, corrected, or both (Grade 2A). Anaemia should be viewed as a serious and treatable medical condition, rather than simply an abnormal laboratory value. Implementation of anaemia management in the elective orthopaedic surgery setting will improve patient outcomes.