Effect of patient blood management system and feedback programme on appropriateness of transfusion: An experience of Asia's first Bloodless Medicine Center on a hospital basis

BACKGROUND

Patient blood management (PBM) programmes minimise red blood cell (RBC) transfusion and improve patient outcomes worldwide. This study evaluated the effect of a multidisciplinary, collaborative PBM programme on the appropriateness of RBC transfusion in medical and surgical departments at a hospital level.

METHODS/MATERIALS

In 2018, the revised PBM programme was launched at the Korea University Anam Hospital, a tertiary hospital with 1048 hospital beds and the first Asian institution where a new computer PBM programme was implemented. Monthly RBC usage and adequacy were analysed from January 2018 to December 2019. The trend of adequacy over time was assessed.

RESULTS

A total of 2 201 021 patients were hospitalised and visited an outpatient clinic. The number of RBC units transfused per 10 000 patients decreased from 139.8 for 2018 to 137.3 for 2019. The proportion of patients with Hb <7 g/dL receiving RBC transfusion increased significantly: 29.1%, 34.5%, 40.4% and 40.6% for periods 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively (p < 0.001). The appropriateness of RBC transfusion significantly increased for medical (35.2%, 41.5%, 49.6% and 74.3% for periods 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively [p < 0.001]) and surgical (37.8%, 33.3%, 45.5% and 71.1% for periods 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively [p < 0.001]) departments.

CONCLUSION

Implementation of a PBM programme through a multidisciplinary clinical community approach increased the appropriateness of RBC transfusion in medical and surgical departments. Therefore, expanding publicity and PBM education to health care providers is important to maintain the appropriateness of blood transfusion.