Prospective monitoring of plasma and platelet transfusions in a large teaching hospital results in significant cost reduction.
BACKGROUND
Plasma and platelets (PLTs) are often transfused to correct mild to moderately abnormal laboratory values. Our objective was to reduce unnecessary plasma and PLT transfusions to nonbleeding patients by prospective triage and education of end users in evidence-based hemostasis and transfusion medicine practices.


METHODS
Using the Parkland Memorial Hospital's transfusion service and admission database as the data source, this study comprises the comparison of transfusion data on plasma and PLT use between pre- (2000-2002) and posttriage (2003-2006) periods. Yearly transfusion and wastage data on red blood cells (RBCs), plasma, and PLTs and yearly hospital admissions, trauma visits, and surgical procedures were extracted retrospectively for the study.


RESULTS
The study revealed that implementation of triage resulted in a significant reduction of plasma (60%) and PLT (25%) transfusions, saving more than $3,000,000 over 4 years.


CONCLUSIONS
Prospective triage and evidence-based transfusion practice education reduced unnecessary plasma and PLT transfusions and health care costs.
Department of Pathology and Division of Hematology-Oncology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390-9073, USA. ravi.sarode@utsouthwestern.edu
Ravindra
R
Sarode
Majed A
MA
Refaai
Karen
K
Matevosyan
James D
JD
Burner
Scott
S
Hampton
Cynthia
C
Rutherford
D001780:Blood Coagulation Tests; D016913:Blood Component Transfusion / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017046:Cost Savings; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006748:Hospital Departments; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010949:Plasma; D017713:Platelet Transfusion / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology; D014193:Trauma Centers / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014218:Triage / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019564:Unnecessary Procedures / Q000191:economics*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology