Blood product availability in the Washington state trauma system

Area of Science:

• Trauma care research
• Public health preparedness
• Emergency medicine resource assessment

Background:

• Early transfusion is critical for trauma patients experiencing hemorrhage.
• Hospitals in the Washington State (WA) Regional Trauma System were assessed for blood product availability.
• The study anticipated limited blood product availability at lower-level trauma centers (IV and V).

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the availability of blood products in Washington State trauma centers.
• To identify potential disparities in blood product access across different trauma center levels and geographic regions.
• To inform strategies for improving trauma patient resuscitation resource management.

Main Methods:

• A questionnaire was electronically distributed to 82 designated WA trauma centers (Levels I-V).
• Inquired about routinely available quantities of red blood cells (RBC), plasma, platelets, cryoprecipitate, and whole blood.
• Follow-up phone calls ensured a 100% response rate; data were correlated with US 2020 census data.

Main Results:

• Packed RBCs were available in 96% of centers, plasma in 76%, platelets in 49%, and cryoprecipitate in 55%.
• Whole blood was exclusively available at the Level I center.
• Three Level V centers reported no routine blood availability, affecting 12% of the state's population and over a third of its geographic area.

Conclusions:

• Blood products demonstrate wide, yet uneven, availability across the WA regional trauma system.
• Significant urban versus rural disparities in blood product availability were identified.
• Further investigation into these disparities is warranted to ensure equitable trauma care access.