title: Comparing hemodynamic outcomes of primary total hip arthroplasty patients with autotransfusion drains or no drain.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  At a Pacific Northwest hospital completing more than 500 total joint procedures annually, operating room and unit orthopaedic nurses questioned the notable differences in the drain and transfusion practices of orthopaedic surgeons performing total hip arthroplasty (THA). The nurses also questioned the hematocrit outcomes of the primary THA patients receiving the different treatments.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this retrospective study was to compare hematocrit results of primary THA patients receiving a drain connected to the OrthoPAT autotransfusion device (Group A) or no drain (Group B).
  
  
  METHODS
  A chart review was conducted of a total of 74 patient records. Variables such as age, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists scores, estimated blood loss, comorbidities, and serial hematocrit percentages were assessed and analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients in each group were similarly distributed within the categories of body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologist scores, comorbidities, and estimated blood loss. Analysis of hematocrit results demonstrated no significant difference between the 2 groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study supports the need for transfusion practice change to reduce allogeneic transfusions and the need to redefine or eliminate the use of the OrthoPAT autotransfusion device in the total joint program.
authors.affiliation: Kimberly Leppert, MSN, RN, CNOR, ONC, Graduate Student, Seattle Pacific University, Seattle, WA.
authors.forename: Kimberly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Leppert
mesh_terms: D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip; D001804:Blood Transfusion, Autologous; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans