Evaluation of a Newly Implemented Critical Thromboelastography (TEG) Value Callback System

Area of Science:

• Coagulation science
• Critical care medicine
• Patient blood management

Background:

• Thromboelastography (TEG) provides real-time coagulation kinetics vital for guiding blood transfusions.
• Immediate remote access to TEG results exists, but critical values are sometimes missed.
• A patient blood management program introduced a critical TEG value callback system to enhance care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact of a critical TEG value callback system on patient management and blood product utilization.
• To compare provider responses and changes in TEG parameters before and after callback system implementation.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective, observational study of trauma and critical care patients.
• Data collected from 20 patients pre-implementation and 100 patients post-implementation.
• Provider callbacks and subsequent TEG parameter changes were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Appropriate management or repeat TEG orders increased significantly post-implementation (42% vs. 28% and 42% vs. 33%, respectively; P < .0001 and P = .0002).
• 90% of TEG parameters improved after callback in the study group compared to 57% in the control group (P = .011).

Conclusions:

• The TEG callback system effectively improved appropriate management and TEG parameter normalization.
• The system demonstrates efficacy in enhancing patient management and blood product utilization.
• Further research is needed to determine the callback system's effect on patient outcomes.