[Patient blood management--The preoperative patient]

Area of Science:

• Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine
• Hematology
• Internal Medicine

Context:

• Preoperative anemia is a significant independent risk factor for increased perioperative morbidity and mortality.
• Patient Blood Management (PBM) strategies focus on early anemia detection in elective surgery patients.
• Addressing the root causes of anemia, such as iron deficiency, bleeding, or hemolysis, is crucial.

Purpose:

• To outline the principles and feasibility of an outpatient Patient Blood Management (PBM) program for preoperative anemia.
• To emphasize the necessity of a multidisciplinary team approach for diagnosing and treating anemia causes.
• To highlight the importance of collaborative PBM planning and communication for successful outcomes.

Summary:

• An outpatient PBM program involves a multidisciplinary team (anesthesiologists, surgeons, hematologists, etc.) to diagnose and treat common anemia causes.
• Utilizing patient history, examination, and laboratory methods, PBM aims for causal treatment of anemia before surgery.
• Effective PBM relies on a common PBM plan and seamless communication within the PBM team and with referring physicians.

Impact:

• Implementing PBM programs can mitigate perioperative risks associated with preoperative anemia.
• Early and causal treatment of anemia through PBM can lead to reduced patient morbidity and mortality.
• Successful PBM programs require strong interdisciplinary collaboration and patient communication for sustained effectiveness.