IngentaConnect Blood ordering protocol based on proposed surgical implant in fra...

Authors: Morritt, D.G.¹; Morritt, A.N.¹; Kelley, S.P.¹; Stone, M.H.¹

Source: Annals of The Royal College of Surgeons of England, Volume 87, Number 6, November 2005 , pp. 445-448(4)

Publisher: The Royal College of Surgeons of England

Abstract:

Introduction: Fractured neck of femur patients frequently require blood transfusion. To improve the efficiency of blood ordering, we present a protocol which orders blood specific for the proposed surgical implant.

Patients and Methods: A retrospective audit over a 1-year period was performed. Patients were divided into six groups dependent on proposed surgical implant. The mean postoperative drop in haemoglobin concentration, the cross-match to transfusion ratio and transfusion indexes were calculated.

Results: Statistically significant differences in blood loss were found dependent on implant used. Using guidelines created by the British Committee for Standards in Haematology on the implementation of a maximum surgical blood ordering schedule, a new protocol for blood ordering based on proposed surgical implant was created.

Conclusions: In fractured neck of femur patients awaiting operation, the type of implant can be used to anticipate blood loss and as a guide to blood ordering.

Keywords: MEDICAL AUDIT; BLOOD LOSS; CLINICAL PROTOCOLS; BLOOD TRANSFUSION; FEMORAL NECK FRACTURES; PROSTHESIS; IMPLANTS

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1308/003588405X71036

Affiliations: 1: Department of Orthopaedics, The General Infirmary at Leeds, Leeds, UK

Blood ordering protocol based on proposed surgical implant in fractured neck of femur patients