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Survey of group A plasma and low‐titer group O whole blood use in trauma resuscitation at adult civilian level 1 trauma centers in the US
Author(s) -
Yazer Mark H.,
Spinella Philip C.,
Anto Vincent,
Dunbar Nancy M.
Publication year - 2021
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.16394
Subject(s) - resuscitation , medicine , trauma center , titer , blood transfusion , emergency medicine , injury severity score , medical emergency , retrospective cohort study , poison control , injury prevention , immunology , antibody
Background Recently revisited products like low‐titer group O whole blood (LTOWB) and novel applications of group A as a universal donor of plasma are being used for trauma resuscitation. A survey of American Level 1 trauma centers was performed to elucidate the extent to which these products are currently employed. Methods A survey was written that probed into the current use of blood products in trauma resuscitation with specific emphasis on LTOWB and group A plasma. A list of adult civilian Level 1 trauma centers in the continental USA was obtained from two public surgery and trauma focused websites. An email was then sent to each center's transfusion service medical director or laboratory manager providing them with a link to the online survey. Results Responses were received from 103/187 (55%) adult civilian Level 1 trauma centers. For the resuscitation of trauma patients, group A plasma was used at 94/103 (91%) centers, while LTOWB was used at 43/103 (42%) centers. There were 39/103 (38%) centers that used both products. At 62/94 (66%) of the centers that used group A plasma, there was no limit on the number of units that could be administered, while an unlimited number of LTOWB units could be used at 5/43 (12%) of the centers that used LTOWB. RhD‐positive LTOWB could be transfused to RhD‐negative or RhD‐type unknown females of childbearing potential at 22/43 (51%) of centers. Conclusion The use of group A plasma and LTOWB in trauma is increasing at American Level 1 trauma centers.