Blood products are finite, valuable resources. They need careful inventory management to prevent shortages, and a strained national supply adds stress to the system. Restrictive transfusion approaches are evidence- based, and vitally important to patient safety. Inappropriate transfusions put patients at additional risks that can cause poor outcomes. Medical laboratory professionals have an important role to play in screening transfusion orders carefully to minimize potential harms and healthcare costs, and advocating for programs that decrease inappropriate transfusion practices such as Using Blood Wisely (Choosing Wisely Canada).
Sources:
Czempik PF, Wilczek D, Herzyk J, Krzych ŁJ. Appropriateness of allogeneic red blood cell transfusions in non-bleeding patients in a large teaching hospital: a retrospective study. J Clin Med. 2023;12(4):1293. doi: 10.3390/jcm12041293. PMID: 36835829.
Hill-Strathy M, Pinkerton PH, Thompson TA, Wendt A, Collins A, Cohen R, et al. Evaluating the appropriateness of platelet transfusions compared with evidence-based platelet guidelines: An audit of platelet transfusions at 57 hospitals. Transfusion. 2021;61(1):57-71. doi: 10.1111/trf.16134. PMID: 33078852.
Kron AT, Collins A, Cserti-Gazdewich C, Pendergrast J, Webert K, Lieberman L, et al. A prospective multi-faceted interventional study of blood bank technologist screening of red blood cell transfusion orders: The START study. Transfusion. 2021;61(2):410-422. doi: 10.1111/trf.16243. PMID: 33423316.