The Benefits of Utilizing a Patient Blood Management Program

Authors

Matthew Bell, University of LynchburgFollow

Specialty

Hospitalist/Internal Medicine

Advisor

Thomas Colletti, DHSc, PA-C, DFAAPA

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Purpose: This article aims to review the benefits of instituting a Patient Blood Management program (PBM) measured by the resultant significant decrease in the need for red blood cell (RBC) transfusion with associated adverse sequelae and financial cost to the patient and healthcare system.

Method: An online search utilizing PubMed and the Cochrane Library was conducted with search terms anemia, patient, and blood management entered into each database with a filter chosen for articles written between 2015 and 2020. Twenty-eight pertinent articles were retrieved and after further review, seventeen served as the basis for this clinical review.

Results: Significant increases in evidenced-based research over the last ten years continue to demonstrate the positive correlation of PBMs and reducing RBC transfusion rates, with the resultant reduction in complication rates, mortality, and associated costs.

Conclusion: Evidence-based research shows that a Patient Blood Management program, as introduced by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2010, reduces the need for RBC transfusion and leads to lower patient complication rates. A PBM program substantially decreases patient morbidity, mortality, length of hospital stay, and associated costs. The evidence additionally confirms that successful PBM programs apply specific universal measures. These include the detection and treatment of anemia, multidisciplinary blood conservation strategies, optimization of hemostasis or coagulopathy, and patient-centered care through incorporating a restrictive transfusion threshold.

Recommended Citation

Bell M. The Benefits of Utilizing a Patient Blood Management Program. University of Lynchburg DMSc Doctoral Project Assignment Repository. 2021; 3(1).