title: Platelet availability at North Iowa Mercy Health Center: a CQI positive result.
abstract: Physicians complained because outpatients had to wait for platelet transfusions because of product unavailability. Platelet use had increased 30%, and additional platelet shipments from our supplier were often required. A Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) committee identified 2 positive impact factors: adjust inventory stocked and recommend a 4-unit dose for cardiac surgery, on the basis of supplier data validating that platelets in 4 concentrates exceeded the minimum apheresis standard. Subsequent to these changes, all orders have been filled immediately, and the average platelet use in cardiac surgery has decreased from 7 to 4 units. There have been no instances of inability to fill platelet orders. Currently, 96% of cardiac surgery platelet orders are for 4 units. Prior to the adjustment to inventory, 24 requests in 6 months were placed with our supplier for additional platelet deliveries. Requests have decreased to 3 in 6 months.
authors.affiliation: North Iowa Mercy Health Center, Mason City 50401, USA.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nederhoff
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D003363:Cost Control; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D007484:Iowa; D020380:Needs Assessment; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017713:Platelet Transfusion / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017064:Process Assessment, Health Care; D012985:Software Design; D013997:Time Factors; D017749:Total Quality Management