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Electronic remote blood issue combined with a computer‐controlled, automated refrigerator for major surgery in operating theatres at a distance from the transfusion service
Author(s) -
Verlicchi Franco,
Pacilli Pasqua,
Bragliani Arianna,
Rapuano Silvia,
Dini Daniele,
Vincenzi Daniele
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
transfusion
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.045
H-Index - 132
eISSN - 1537-2995
pISSN - 0041-1132
DOI - 10.1111/trf.14418
Subject(s) - medicine , blood bank , blood transfusion , red blood cell , emergency medicine , service (business) , operating theater , operating theatres , surgery , anesthesia , medical emergency , business , marketing
BACKGROUND The difficulty of supplying red blood cells within an adequate time to patients undergoing surgery is a known problem for transfusion services, particularly if the operating theater is located at some distance from the blood bank. The consequences frequently are that more blood is ordered than required; several units are allocated and issued; and unused units must be returned to the blood bank. Some sparse reports have demonstrated that remote blood issue systems can improve the efficiency of issuing blood. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS This study describes a computer‐controlled, self‐service, remote blood‐release system, combined with an automated refrigerator, installed in a hospital at which major surgery was performed, located 5 kilometers away from the transfusion service. With this system, red blood cell units were electronically allocated to patients immediately before release, when the units actually were needed. Two 2‐year periods, before and after implementation of the system, were compared. RESULTS After implementation of the system, the ratio of red blood cell units returned to the transfusion service was reduced from 48.9% to 1.6% of the issued units (8852 of 18,090 vs. 182 of 11,152 units; p < 0.0001), and the issue‐to‐transfusion ratio was reduced from 1.96 to 1.02. An increase in the number of transfused red blood cell units was observed, probably mainly due to changes in the number and complexity of surgical procedures. No transfusion errors occurred in the two periods. CONCLUSION The current results demonstrate that the remote blood‐release system is safe and useful for improving the efficiency of blood issue for patients in remote operating theatres.