Effectiveness of a protocol to improve transfusion practice in knee replacement surgery.
OBJECTIVE
The available guidelines on red cell transfusion are not clearly defined and therefore have had only a modest impact on transfusion practice. The aims of this study were to assess the rate of compliance with a transfusion algorithm and its effect on transfusion practice.


METHODS
A prospective observational study was carried out on 101 patients who underwent primary elective total knee replacement surgery.


RESULTS
Only 30% of the patients were transfused. An overall compliance rate of 77% was achieved with the transfusion algorithm.


CONCLUSIONS
A transfusion algorithm, together with staff education, is effective in reducing both the number of patients transfused and inappropriate transfusions.
Boralessa
H
H
National Blood Service-London & South East Zone, Brentwood Centre, Crescent Drive, Brentwood, Essex CM15 8DP, UK. hari.boralessa@nbs.nhs.uk
Boralessa
H
H
Contreras
M
M
Lang-Stevenson
A
A
DeSilva
A
A
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000465:Algorithms; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002985:Clinical Protocols / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019990:Perioperative Care / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D011446:Prospective Studies
D006454:Hemoglobins