Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 16, 2026
06:28
Leveraging Turbidity and Thromboelastography for Complementary Clot Characterization
Published on: June 4, 2020
7.2K
Blood Utilization and Waste Following Implementation of Thromboelastography.
Kaitlyn M Shelton1,2, LeeAnn P Walker2, Carol A Carman2
1Medical Services, Bloodworks Northwest, Seattle, WA, United States.
The Journal of Applied Laboratory Medicine
|September 26, 2025
Summary
Thromboelastography (TEG) use decreased plasma transfusions but increased plasma waste. Red blood cell (RBC) use and waste changed, though COVID-19 pandemic impacts are noted.
Area of Science:
- Transfusion Medicine
- Laboratory Medicine
- Surgical Services
Background:
- Thromboelastography (TEG) is a viscoelastic testing platform for real-time coagulation monitoring.
- Evaluating TEG's impact on blood product utilization and waste is crucial for optimizing transfusion practices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess changes in blood component use and waste after implementing TEG.
- To analyze shifts in massive transfusion protocol (MTP) blood utilization and returns post-TEG.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of blood component transfusion and waste over 104 weeks pre- and post-TEG implementation.
- Comparison of blood utilization and waste using paired t-tests.
- Analysis of MTP utilization and returns for 160 cases (80 pre-TEG, 80 post-TEG) via independent t-tests.
Main Results:
- Plasma transfusions decreased by 26% (P < 0.05), while RBC transfusions increased by 15% (P < 0.01).
- Mean RBC waste decreased (P < 0.01), but mean plasma waste significantly increased (P < 0.001).
- No significant changes were observed in platelet, cryoprecipitate, or MTP utilization and returns.
Conclusions:
- Plasma utilization decreased post-TEG, aligning with literature.
- Unexpected increase in plasma waste may stem from increased, untransfused orders.
- RBC utilization and waste showed significant changes, with COVID-19 pandemic as a potential confounding factor.
