Related Experiment Videos
Optimizing medical practice using a computerized hospital information system. Example of blood transfusions
E Lepage1, R M Gardner, R M Laub
1Département de Biostatique et Informatique Médicale, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France.
Insights
Physicians need better transfusion therapy knowledge. A computerized system screened blood transfusion requests, with 90% meeting criteria, indicating a need for improved physician education on blood product optimization.
Area of Science:
- Transfusion Medicine
- Health Informatics
- Patient Safety
Background:
- Increasing focus on medical risks and costs associated with blood transfusions necessitates clear transfusion guidelines.
- A computerized knowledge-based system was implemented at LDS Hospital in 1987 to manage transfusion requests.
- The system screens requests against criteria defined by medical staff to ensure appropriate use of blood products.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the utilization of red blood cells (RBC) over a nine-month period.
- To assess the effectiveness of the computerized system in screening transfusion requests.
- To identify areas for improvement in physician knowledge regarding transfusion therapy.
Main Methods:
- Review of red blood cell (RBC) utilization data from July 1, 1988, for a nine-month period.
- Analysis of transfusion requests screened by the computerized knowledge-based system at LDS Hospital.
- Evaluation of the percentage of RBC units ordered that met established transfusion criteria.
Main Results:
- The computerized system flagged transfusion requests based on predefined medical staff criteria.
- Approximately 90% of the red blood cell (RBC) units ordered during the study period met the hospital's criteria.
- The results indicated a gap in physician knowledge concerning optimal transfusion therapy.
Conclusions:
- While the system screened most requests, 10% did not meet criteria, highlighting potential for improvement.
- There is a clear need to refine medical staff knowledge and education on transfusion therapy.
- Optimizing the use of blood products requires ongoing education and adherence to evidence-based guidelines.
Abstract:
The recent focus on medical risks and dollar cost of blood transfusion has resulted in the need to define guidelines for transfusion of blood products. In 1987, a computerized knowledge-based system was implemented at LDS Hospital to screen transfusion requests and flag those not justified by criteria defined by the medical staff. The use of red blood cells (RBC) for the 9 month period from July 1, 1988 was reviewed. The number of units ordered that met the criteria used by LDS Hospital was 90%. Our results showed there was a need to refine knowledge about transfusion therapy to help physicians optimize the use of blood products.