Improving Awareness about Patient Blood Management in Portugal: A Call for Action Arising from a Delphi Panel

Area of Science:

• Transfusion Medicine
• Clinical Practice
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Anaemia and iron deficiency are linked to higher mortality and worse surgical results.
• Patient blood management (PBM) aims to standardize care, improve patient safety, and enhance clinical outcomes.
• Standardization of PBM is essential, especially during critical periods, but faces implementation barriers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a consensus on the definitions and management of anaemia and iron deficiency.
• To implement patient blood management principles in clinical practice within Portugal.

Main Methods:

• A focus group of eight experts defined 33 statements.
• A two-round Delphi panel survey involving experts from multiple clinical specialities was conducted.

Main Results:

• Consensus was reached on only two of 33 statements (6%).
• Agreement was found on the necessity of preoperative PBM consultations for specific surgeries and the importance of correcting postoperative anaemia and iron deficiency.
• 27 statements achieved high agreement or disagreement, indicating areas for further discussion.

Conclusions:

• Limited consensus (6%) was achieved on PBM statements, indicating a need for improved awareness and education.
• There is agreement on the importance of PBM as a standard of care and the value of preoperative and postoperative interventions.
• Implementing PBM standards in Portuguese hospitals requires targeted training and literacy initiatives to improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.