Transfusion medicine
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Transfusion medicine · Dec 2021
Volume of packed red blood cells and fresh frozen plasma is associated with intraoperative hypocalcaemia during large volume intraoperative transfusion.
Severe hypocalcaemia is associated with increased transfusion in the trauma population. Furthermore, trauma patients developing severe hypocalcaemia have higher mortality and coagulopathy. Electrolyte abnormalities associated with massive transfusion have been less studied in the surgical population. Here, we tested the primary hypothesis that volume of packed red blood cells and fresh frozen plasma transfused intraoperatively is associated with lower nadir ionised calcium in the surgical population receiving massive resuscitation. ⋯ Hypocalcaemia was associated with increased transfusion volume in this single-centre study. Unlike the trauma population, hypocalcaemia was not associated with increased mortality during surgical care. Our findings suggest that despite improved practice patterns of calcium supplementation, intraoperative hypocalcaemia occurs with relatively high frequency following large volume intraoperative transfusion.
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Transfusion medicine · Oct 2021
Patterns of paediatric massive blood transfusion protocol use in trauma and non-trauma patients.
Massive blood transfusion is infrequently required by children but can be a lifesaving intervention for haemorrhage or coagulopathy. Product volumes and ratios administered during the initiation of paediatric massive blood transfusion protocol (MBTP) are highly variable and the optimal component ratio is unknown. ⋯ An MBTP developed for trauma patients can be applied to non-trauma patients but standard MBTP components may not be optimal for all children. These findings show that underlying patient diagnoses may be a factor when designing an MBTP for a heterogeneous paediatric population.
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Transfusion medicine · Jun 2021
Motivators of and barriers to becoming a COVID-19 convalescent plasma donor: A survey study.
To determine the motivators and barriers to COVID-19 convalescent plasma donation by those in the United Kingdom who have been diagnosed with or who have had symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) but who have not donated. ⋯ Once potential donors are aware of convalescent plasma, interventions should focus on the gratitude and reciprocity that those eligible to donate feel, along with a focus on (potentially) helping family and norms of what people ought to do. Fears associated with donation should not be neglected, and strategies that have been successfully used tor recruit whole-blood donors should be adapted and deployed to recruit COVID-19 convalescent plasma donors.
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Transfusion medicine · Feb 2021
ReviewPractical approach to transfusion management of post-partum haemorrhage.
To describe transfusion management during post-partum haemorrhage (PPH) and the usefulness of standard or point-of-care (POC) laboratory tests for guiding haemostatic management. ⋯ Although the proposed algorithms have not been validated by trials or observational studies conducted in our departments, we believe that these indications could be useful for supporting clinical practice. Furthermore, we deem it appropriate to emphasise the importance of a multidisciplinary approach and the need for standardised and shared protocols to support the decisions of healthcare professionals.
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Transfusion medicine · Dec 2020
Clinical Trial Observational StudySurvey to assess knowledge, attitude and practices for safe and efficient vein-to-vein transfusion practices and effect of educational intervention in a hospital setting.
The primary aim was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) of employees (medical, paramedical and other hospital staff) towards blood donation and transfusion practices in a tertiary care hospital. A secondary objective was to assess and interpret the effect of an educational module on improvement in the KAP of employees in a hospital setting. ⋯ Educational intervention is an important tool for improving KAP among not only physicians but hospital staff as well.