An Interdisciplinary Education Initiative to Promote Blood Conservation in Cardiac Surgery

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Surgery
• Transfusion Medicine
• Evidence-Based Practice

Background:

• Transfusion practices in cardiac surgery are highly variable.
• High blood product utilization is linked to negative patient outcomes.
• Standardizing transfusion protocols is crucial for improving care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To implement an evidence-based practice initiative using the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) Blood Conservation Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs).
• To standardize transfusion practices among the cardiac surgery team.
• To improve clinician knowledge and decrease blood product utilization.

Main Methods:

• An evidenced-based practice (EBP) initiative was developed based on the 2011 STS Blood Conservation CPGs.
• Interdisciplinary education was provided to the cardiac surgery team.
• Blood product utilization was monitored before and after the intervention.

Main Results:

• Clinician knowledge of the STS Blood Conservation CPGs significantly improved, with a 31.1% increase in participants whose practice aligned with the guidelines (p = 0.012).
• Overall blood product utilization for patients undergoing cardiac surgery decreased significantly post-intervention (p = 0.005).

Conclusions:

• Interdisciplinary education based on STS Blood Conservation CPGs effectively reduces transfusion practice variability.
• Standardized transfusion protocols lead to decreased blood product utilization in cardiac surgery.
• This approach enhances patient safety and optimizes resource management.