[Quality assurance at the interface between anesthesia and transfusion medicine]

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Transfusion Medicine
• Anesthesiology

Context:

• Hospitals face financial constraints alongside rising demands for quality and safety.
• The interface between anesthesia and transfusion medicine significantly impacts hospital efficiency and patient care.
• Existing processes at this interface often present opportunities for optimization.

Purpose:

• To analyze and enhance process quality at the anesthesia-transfusion medicine interface.
• To revise structures and responsibilities, addressing weaknesses in blood product supply.
• To optimize the utilization and supply chain of blood products within a university hospital setting.

Summary:

• Implemented a databank-based electronic data processing solution with defined responsibilities and standard operating protocols.
• Established a routine reporting system to surgery departments for transparency and continuous improvement.
• Developed a dynamic blood supply standard based on electronic report data for ongoing refinement.

Impact:

• Increased the rate of supplied to transfused blood products from 43.1% to 55.7%.
• Improved compliance with blood supply standards from 60.3% to 92.3% within 18 months.
• Reduced unnecessary blood product deliveries by 4.6% and supply costs by over 60%.