The team focus on improving blood transfusion.

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Surgery
• Transfusion Medicine
• Patient Safety

Background:

• Homologous blood transfusions in surgical patients are increasingly linked to adverse outcomes, including infection, stroke, and mortality.
• Mounting evidence suggests a need to minimize patient exposure to allogeneic blood products.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a multidisciplinary Cardiac Surgical Transfusion Management Group to improve transfusion practices.
• To develop and implement standardized transfusion protocols and algorithms for cardiac surgical patients.

Main Methods:

• Formation of a multidisciplinary team involving all specialties relevant to cardiac surgical transfusions.
• Development of evidence-based transfusion protocols, algorithms, and an audit system.
• Implementation of a change in transfusion practice at the institutional level.

Main Results:

• The group aims to assess the impact of implemented changes on transfusion requirements.
• Recommendations will be made to treating specialists based on audit findings.
• The ultimate goal is to reduce homologous blood product utilization in cardiac surgery.

Conclusions:

• A multidisciplinary approach is essential for optimizing transfusion practices in cardiac surgery.
• Standardized protocols and continuous auditing are key to reducing homologous blood exposure.
• Minimizing transfusion risks can improve patient outcomes and safety.