title: Minorities are less likely to receive autologous blood transfusion for major elective orthopaedic surgery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Surgeons commonly arrange for patients to perform autologous blood donation before elective orthopaedic surgery. Understanding sociodemographic patterns of use of autologous blood transfusion can help improve quality of care and cost containment.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We sought to determine whether there were (1) racial disparities, (2) insurance-based disparities, or (3) income-based disparities in autologous blood use. Additionally, we evaluated the combined effect of (4) race and insurance and (5) race and income on autologous blood use, and we compared ratios of autologous with allogeneic blood use.
  
  
  METHODS
  Of the more than 3,500,000 patients undergoing major elective orthopaedic surgery identified in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample between 2008 and 2011, 2.4% received autologous blood transfusion and 12% received allogeneic blood transfusion. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to determine the influence of race, insurance status, and income on autologous blood use.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with white patients, Hispanic patients had lower odds of autologous blood use for elective hip (odds ratio [OR], 0.75; 95% CI, 0.69-0.82) and knee arthroplasties (OR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.67-0.75). Black patients had lower odds of receiving autologous blood transfusion for hip arthroplasty (OR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.74-0.83). Compared with the privately insured, uninsured and publicly insured patients were less likely to receive autologous blood for total joint arthroplasty and spinal fusion. Patients with low and medium income were less likely to have autologous blood transfusion for total joint arthroplasty and spinal fusion compared with high-level income earners. Even at comparable income and insurance levels with whites, Hispanic and black patients tended to be less likely to receive autologous blood transfusion. Ratios of autologous to allogeneic blood use were lower among minority patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Historically disadvantaged populations receive fewer autologous blood transfusions for elective orthopaedic surgery. Whether the differential use is attributable to patient preference or unequal access to this practice should be investigated further.
  
  
  METHODS
  Level II, prognostic study. See the Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
authors.affiliation: Orthopaedic Hand and Upper Extremity Service, Yawkey Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Suite 2100, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA, marianofurrer@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Mariano E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Menendez
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ring
mesh_terms: D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000368:Aged; D001804:Blood Transfusion, Autologous / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D054625:Healthcare Disparities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008913:Minority Groups / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D044469:Racial Groups / Q000145:classification / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data