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Quality improvement report
Endorsing single-unit transfusion combined with a restrictive haemoglobin transfusion threshold after knee arthroplasty
  1. J M Naylor1,2,3,
  2. S Adie2,
  3. M Fransen4,
  4. S Dietsch1,
  5. I Harris2
  1. 1Whitlam Joint Replacement Centre, Fairfield Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
  2. 2South West Sydney Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
  3. 3The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
  4. 4The George Institute for International Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
  1. Correspondence to Justine M Naylor, Orthopaedic Department, Liverpool Hospital, Locked Bag 7103, Liverpool, BC NSW 1871, Australia; justine.naylor{at}sswahs.nsw.gov.au

Abstract

Problem The utility of single-unit transfusions in the presence of restrictive haemoglobin transfusion thresholds is unknown.

Design A prospective, pre–post intervention study was undertaken to evaluate a new transfusion strategy designed to reduce the rate of allogeneic transfusion and promote single-unit transfusion.

Setting Joint replacement centre within a public hospital.

Participants Patients undergoing primary unilateral knee arthroplasty (baseline, n=93; postintervention, n=347).

Objectives of the intervention Decrease the use of donor blood by (1) reducing the rate of donor transfusion and (2) endorsing the use of single-unit transfusion.

Strategies for change A restrictive transfusion protocol was introduced, which included assessment of the need for transfusion based on haemoglobin value, and presence of signs, symptoms and comorbidity. Single or multiple units of blood were endorsed depending on the indication.

Key measures for improvement Primary outcomes were transfusion rate; frequencies of attempted and successful single-unit transfusions. Secondary outcomes included 6-week haemoglobin and complications within 6 months postsurgery.

Effects of change Transfusion rate significantly improved (41% (38/93) to 18% (64/347), χ2 21.3, p<0.001). The prescription of single units of blood (24% (9/38) to 33% (21/64), χ2 1, p=0.33) and successful single-unit transfusion (24% (9/38) vs 24% (15/64), χ2<0.01, p=1.0) were unchanged as were most secondary outcomes.

Lessons learnt Restrictive haemoglobin thresholds are a safe, potent frontline strategy for decreasing the rate of blood transfusion. Judicious endorsement of single units is a secondary strategy for reducing the consumption of donor blood when the transfusion haemoglobin trigger is strict.

  • Blood transfusion
  • arthroplasty, knee
  • single-unit transfusion
  • continuous quality improvement

https://doi.org/10.1136/qshc.2008.031039

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    Footnotes

    • Competing interests None.

    • Ethics approval This study was conducted with the approval of the Sydney South West Area Health Service Human Research Ethics Committee.

    • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.

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