Transfus Apher Sci
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Despite recent advances in the understanding and treatment of coagulopathy, the management of the bleeding patient remains as a major challenge. Traditionally, the main task of the blood bank has been to guarantee the supply of high quality blood and blood components/products to the hospital. Decisions regarding the use of blood components have always been the clinicians' responsibility, with little active involvement of the transfusion service. ⋯ This, in addition to the implementation of patient blood management programs in the hospitals, has led to an increasing involvement of transfusion medicine specialists in transfusion decision making, especially regarding strategies for monitoring and treatment of the massively bleeding patient. This new trend may contribute to a more optimal management and monitoring of the bleeding patient, as POC testing may be used as an early predictor for blood usage. The blood bank should optimise the use of POC testing to provide accurate information in a cost-effective way.
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Perioperative blood transfusion still takes a large proportion in inappropriate blood transfusion. As the data are limited in China, we reported a perioperative red blood cell (RBC) transfusion practices in a tertiary hospital in Guangzhou, China. In 2008-2009, patients who underwent elective surgeries receiving RBC transfusions were recorded and the rate of overtransfusion was analyzed. ⋯ The median amount of RBC transfused perioperatively was four units in all 2572 patients. The overall rate of overtransfusion was 48.6% and the Department of Neurosurgery had the highest overtransfusion rate. These results are of great use for the future management of blood resource.