Reducing blood utilization by implementation of a type-and-screen transfusion policy a single-institution experience

The Blood Utilization Committee implemented a standardized protocol for the preoperative blood order for cardiac patients. The aim of our study was to assess the improvement in blood utilization using the crossmatch to transfusion ratio (C:T).

Four months of retrospective data were collected, which included all RBC crossmatch requests and all RBC units transfused. Similar data were gathered for the period of the intervention. The difference in C:T was calculated.

The retrospective group had 166 patients for whom blood products were ordered. There were 560 crossmatch requests and 237 transfused RBC units with a C:T of 2.36. The prospective group had 127 patients with 297 crossmatch requests, 190 transfused units, and a C:T of 1.56. There was a statistically significant difference in the C:T. The cost difference was $12,244.00.

Implementing exact guidelines, with the introduction of a type-and-screen concept, allowed more efficient blood usage.