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Quality management of a massive transfusion protocol
Author(s) -
Hess John R.,
Ramos Patrick J.,
Sen Nina E.,
CruzCody Virginia G.,
Tuott Erin E.,
Louzon Max J.,
Bulger Eileen M.,
Arbabi Saman,
Pagano Monica B.,
Metcalf Ryan A.
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.14443
Subject(s) - medicine , trauma center , apheresis , emergency medicine , hemostasis , injury severity score , protocol (science) , blood transfusion , blood product , intensive care unit , platelet , anesthesia , intensive care medicine , surgery , retrospective cohort study , poison control , injury prevention , alternative medicine , pathology
BACKGROUND Massive transfusion is a response to massive uncontrolled hemorrhage. To be effective, it must be timely and address the patient's needs for blood volume, oxygen transport, and hemostasis. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS A review was performed on all activations of the massive transfusion protocol (MTP) in a hospital with large emergency medicine, trauma, and vascular surgery programs. Indications, transfused amounts, and outcomes were determined for each MTP event to determine appropriateness of MTP use. Results are presented as descriptive statistics, categorical associations, and simple linear trend relationships. RESULTS The MTP was activated 309 times in 2016. Of these episodes, 237 were for trauma, 29 for gastrointestinal bleeding, 16 for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurisms, and 25 for a variety of other causes. Trauma‐related MTP activations had a mean injury severity score of 32. Blood use averaged 6.6 units of red blood cells (RBCs), 6.5 units of plasma, and 1.2 units of apheresis platelets. Fourteen activations ended without the administration of any blood products, and 45 (14%) did not meet the critical administration threshold of three components. Only 60 (19%) activations met the historic definition of massive with at least 10 units of RBCs administered. Mortality was 15% for the trauma‐related activations. CONCLUSIONS Massive transfusion protocol activations were frequent and conducted with high fidelity to the 1:1:1 unit ratio standard. Making blood components available quickly was associated with low rates of total component usage and low mortality for trauma patients and was not associated with overuse.