title: Blood utilization in hip and knee arthroplasty: a cost-minimization study.
abstract: The non-utilization of crossmatched blood is an expensive waste of resources. We have audited blood utilization for all primary total hip and knee arthroplasty patients. We compared routine pre-operative crossmatching (Phase 1) with a policy of group, screen and save (G & S) only (Phase 2). The patient groups were similar in both phases. Pre- and post-operative haemoglobin results were not significantly different between Phase 1 and 2. No adverse transfusion reactions occurred. In Phase 1, 213 units were crossmatched pre-operatively, but only 127 (60%) were transfused. In Phase 2, 117 units were requested and all transfused. The G & S only policy proved to be a safe and practical option which improved the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of blood ordering. Based on a handling charge of 37.50 Pounds per unit of blood by the Regional Transfusion Centre, an estimated annual saving of over 8000 Pounds can be made in our directorate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Wansbeck General Hospital, Ashington, Northumberland, UK.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gower
authors.forename: A I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Hussein
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Briggs
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Dewar
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000191:economics*; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000191:economics*; D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000191:economics*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003363:Cost Control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies