Transfusion
-
Red blood cell (RBC) product wastage in hospitals is reported to range from 0.1% to 6.7%. Wastage at our institution averaged 4.4% of 63,000 issued RBC products. Data indicated that approximately 87% of wasted RBC units were either individual units that were out of blood bank for more than 30 minutes (dispensed but not administered) or units packed in transport containers that had temperature indicators affixed to each unit. We hypothesized that Lean Sigma methodology could be used to reduce RBC wastage by 50%. ⋯ Lean Sigma methodology was an effective tool for reducing RBC wastage in a large academic hospital.
-
Plasma components from female donors were responsible for most cases of transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) reported to the American Red Cross (ARC) between 2003 and 2005. Consequently, we began preferentially distributing plasma from male donors for transfusion in 2006 and evaluated the effect on reported TRALI cases in the ensuing 2 years. ⋯ Reported TRALI cases from plasma transfusion decreased in 2008 compared to the prior 2 years simultaneously with the conversion to male-predominant plasma for transfusion.
-
Management of severe symptomatic anemia is exceptionally challenging when blood transfusions cannot be administered. Use of hemoglobin (Hb)-based oxygen carriers as "bridging treatment" can be an option. ⋯ This report documents the successful management of profound anemia in an acute leukemia patient who refused blood transfusion, with the use of Hemopure, to save the patient from the devastating effects of ischemia associated with severe anemia. Hemopure may represent a life-saving intervention in patients with severe symptomatic anemia when blood transfusion is not an option.