title: Outcomes of knee replacement patients using autotransfusion.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  More than 500,000 total knee replacements are performed annually in the United States, of which approximately 30% to 50% utilized autotransfusion.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the study was to describe the difference in patient outcomes between autotransfusion and allogenic blood recipients who have a total knee replacement.
  
  
  METHODS
  A descriptive study using retrospective chart review (N = 115) was conducted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Those receiving autotransfusion had a significant shorter length of stay. No difference in hemoglobin or discharge site was found between those receiving autotransfusion and those receiving allogenic blood. Lower weight and increased age were associated with discharge to an inpatient rehabilitation unit.
authors.affiliation: Human Motion Institute, Gaston Memorial Hospital, Gastonia, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Joanne C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Faber
authors.forename: Sonya R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Hardin
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee; D001804:Blood Transfusion, Autologous; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome