Benefits of VISION Max automated cross-matching in comparison with manual cross-matching: A multidimensional analysis

BACKGROUND

VISION Max (Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Raritan, NJ, USA) is a newly introduced automated blood bank system. Cross-matching (XM) is an important test confirming safety by simulating reaction between packed Red Blood Cells (RBCs) and patient blood in vitro before transfusion. We assessed the benefits of VISION Max automated XM (A-XM) in comparison with those of manual XM (M-XM) by using multidimensional analysis (cost-effectiveness and quality improvement).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In a total of 327 tests (130 patients), results from A-XM and M-XM were compared. We assessed the concordance rate, risk priority number (RPN), turnaround time, hands-on time, and the costs of both methods. We further simulated their annual effects based on 37,937 XM tests in 2018.

RESULTS

The concordance rate between A-XM and M-XM was 97.9% (320/327, kappa = 0.83), and the seven discordant results were incompatible for transfusion in A-XM, while compatible for transfusion in M-XM. None of the results was incompatible for transfusion in A-XM, while compatible for transfusion in M-XM, meaning A-XM detect agglutination more sensitively and consequently provides a more safe result than M-XM. A-XM was estimated to have a 6.3-fold lower risk (229 vs. 1,435 RPN), shorter turnaround time (19.1 vs. 23.3 min, P < 0.0001), shorter hands-on time (1.1 vs. 5.3 min, P < 0.0001), and lower costs per single test than M-XM (1.44 vs. 2.70 USD). A-XM permitted annual savings of 46 million RPN, 15.1 months of daytime workers' labor, and 47,042 USD compared with M-XM.

CONCLUSION

This is the first attempt to implement A-XM using VISION Max. VISION Max A-XM appears to be a safe, practical, and reliable alternative for pre-transfusion workflow with the potential to improve quality and cost-effectiveness in the blood bank.

Saving Blood and Reducing Costs: Updating Blood Transfusion Practice in Lower Limb Arthroplasty

Aim Our aim was to quantify blood transfusion rates in lower limb arthroplasty following the introduction of a multimodal enhanced recovery programme (ERP). We then sought to update the maximum surgical blood ordering schedule (MSBOS) and calculate cost savings achieved. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted of all patients who required blood transfusion following primary and revision total hip and knee arthroplasty in 2012 and 2015. A multimodal ERP was introduced in 2015. Cost savings were calculated following the introduction of a new MSBOS. Results During the two-year study period 1467 lower limb arthroplasty procedures were performed. The cross-match to transfusion ratio was 3.6:1 in 2012 and 9.9:1 in 2015. The updated MSBOS resulted in a 46% reduction of cross-matched blood and savings of €54,375 per annum. Conclusion Improved perioperative management in lower limb arthroplasty has reduced blood transfusion rates. Updating blood transfusion practice can result in considerable savings in blood, resources and costs.

A preoperative risk score for transfusion in infrarenal endovascular aneurysm repair to avoid type and cross

OBJECTIVE

Preoperative type and cross are often routinely ordered before elective endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR), but the cost of this practice is high, and transfusion is rare. We therefore aimed to stratify patients by their risk of transfusion to identify a cohort in whom a type and screen would be sufficient.

METHODS

We queried the targeted vascular module of the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) for all elective EVARs from 2011 to 2015. We included only infrarenal aneurysms and excluded ruptured aneurysms and patients transfused within 72 hours preoperatively. Two-thirds of the cases were randomly assigned to a model derivation cohort and one third to a validation cohort. We created and subsequently validated a risk model for transfusion within the first 24 hours of surgery (including intraoperatively), using logistic regression.

RESULTS

Between 2011 and 2015, there were 4875 patients who underwent elective infrarenal EVAR, only 221 (4.5%) of whom received a transfusion within 24 hours of surgery. The frequency of transfusion during the study period declined monotonously from 6.5% in 2011 to 3.2% in 2015. The factors independently associated with transfusion were preoperative hematocrit <36% (odds ratio [OR], 3.4 [95% confidence interval, 2.1-5.4]; P < .001), aortic diameter (per centimeter increase: OR, 1.2 [1.03-1.4]; P = .02), preoperative dependent functional status (OR, 2.5 [1.1-5.5]; P = .03), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR, 1.7 [1.04-2.9]; P = .04). A risk prediction model based on these criteria produced a C statistic of 0.69 in the prediction cohort and 0.76 in the validation cohort and a Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness of fit of 0.62 and 0.14, respectively. A score of <3 of 9, corresponding to a <5% probability of transfusion, would avoid preoperative type and cross in 86% of patients. Of the 4203 patients (86%) with a hematocrit >36%, only 6 (0.1%) had a risk score of >3.

CONCLUSIONS

Perioperative transfusion for EVAR is becoming increasingly uncommon and is predicted well by a transfusion risk score or simply a hematocrit of <36%. Application of this risk score would avoid unnecessary type and cross in the majority of patients, leading to significant savings in both time and cost.

Medical and economic implications of strategies to prevent alloimmunization in sickle cell disease

BACKGROUND

The pathogenesis of alloimmunization is not well understood, and initiatives that aim to reduce the incidence of alloimmunization are generally expensive and either ineffective or unproven. In this review, we summarize the current medical literature regarding alloimmunization in the sickle cell disease (SCD) population, with a special focus on the financial implications of different approaches to prevent alloimmunization.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

A review of EMBASE and MEDLINE data from January 2006 through January 2016 was conducted to identify articles relating to complications of SCD. The search was specifically designed to capture articles that evaluated the costs of various strategies to prevent alloimmunization and its sequelae.

RESULTS

Currently, there is no proven, inexpensive way to prevent alloimmunization among individuals with SCD. Serologic matching programs are not uniformly successful in preventing alloimmunization, particularly to Rh antigens, because of the high frequency of variant Rh alleles in the SCD population. A genotypic matching program could offer some cost savings compared to a serologic matching program, but the efficacy of gene matching for the prevention of alloimmunization is largely unproven, and large-scale implementation could be expensive.

CONCLUSIONS

Future reductions in the costs associated with genotype matching could make a large-scale program economically feasible. Novel techniques to identify patients at highest risk for alloimmunization could improve the cost effectiveness of antigen matching programs. A clinical trial comparing the efficacy of serologic matching to genotype matching would be informative.

Rapid and inexpensive blood typing on thermoplastic chips

A portable and cost-effective colorimetric diagnostic device was fabricated for rapid ABO and Rh blood typing. Using microfluidic construction on a thermoplastic chip, blood antibodies were preloaded into a reaction channel and exposed to blood samples to initiate a haemagglutination reaction. Downstream high-aspect ratio filters, composed of 2 μm high microslits, block agglutinated red blood cells (RBCs) to turn the reaction channel red, indicating the presence of the corresponding blood antigen. Users manually actuate the blood sample using a simple screw pump that drives the solution through serpentine reaction channels and chaotic micromixers for maximum interaction of the preloaded antibodies with the blood sample antigens. Mismatched RBCs and antibodies elute from the channel into an outlet reservoir based on the rheological properties of RBCs with no colorimetric change. As a result, unambiguous blood typing tests can be distinguished by the naked eye in as little as 1 min. Blood disorders, such as thalassemia, can also be distinguished using the device. The required blood volume for the test is just 1 μL, which can be obtained by the less invasive finger pricking method. The low reagent consumption, manual driving force, low-cost of parts, high yield, and robust fabrication process make this device sensitive, accurate, and simple enough to use without specialized training in resource constrained settings.

Rationalising cross-match requests in vascular surgery is safe and cost effective

This study describes how a vascular centre rationalised their blood transfusion policy. A multidisciplinary panel reviewed data for blood transfusion protocols and implemented improvements that were analysed. The number of units cross-matched fell from 272 to 183 over a six month period. Unused blood reduced from 80% to 61%. The study concluded that rationalisation of cross matching policies is safe and provides cost and resource benefits.

Establishing an antigen-negative red blood cell inventory in a hospital-based blood bank

BACKGROUND

Our blood bank is part of a large academic institution with an active sickle cell anemia program. We provide sickle patients with blood phenotypically matched for C/c, E/e, and K antigens. Since licensed reagents are available for phenotyping C/c, E/e, and K on an automated blood analyzer, we decided to evaluate whether establishing our own inventory of blood negative for those antigens would result in cost savings and decreased turnaround time (TAT).

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Antigen typing of blood units for C/c, E/e, and K was validated. From March 1, 2012, to August 31, 2012, a total of 1033 units from our own donor center and from our suppliers were phenotyped. We compared direct cost savings and TAT for blood availability with historical data before we began phenotyping.

RESULTS

Thirty-eight percent of typed antigen-negative (AG-) units were transfused to sickle patients. An additional 35% were transfused to nonsickle patients needing AG- blood. Twenty-one percent were used by patients without antibodies to prevent outdating. The remaining 6% had not yet been transfused by the end of the study period. From March 1, 2011, to August 31, 2011, we spent almost $200,000 on obtaining AG- blood. In the 6 months since we started antigen typing, we have saved approximately $110,000, the majority of which resulted from AG- blood provided to sickle patients. In addition, TAT for AG- units from our inventory significantly improved to 1 to 2 hours versus approximately 6 hours when obtained from our suppliers.

CONCLUSION

Establishing an AG- inventory in a hospital-based blood bank is cost-effective and time-efficient.

RHD variants in Polish blood donors routinely typed as D-

BACKGROUND

Blood donors exhibiting a weak D or DEL phenotypical expression may be mistyped D- by standard serology hence permitting incompatible transfusion to D- recipients. Molecular methods may overcome these technical limits. Our aim was to estimate the frequency of RHD alleles among the apparently D- Polish donor population and to characterize its molecular background.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Plasma pools collected from 31,200 consecutive Polish donors typed as D- were tested by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the presence of RHD-specific markers located in Intron 4 and Exons 7 and 10. RHD+ individuals were characterized by PCR or cDNA sequencing and serology.

RESULTS

Plasma cross-pool strategy revealed 63 RHD+ donors harboring RHD*01N.03 (n = 17), RHD*15 (n = 12), RHD*11 (n = 7), RHD*DEL8 (n = 3), RHD*01W.2 (n = 3), RHD-CE(10) (n = 3), RHD*01W.3, RHD*01W.9, RHD*01N.05, RHD*01N.07, RHD*01N.23, and RHD(IVS1-29G>C) and two novel alleles, RHD*(767C>G) (n = 3) and RHD*(1029C>A). Among 47 cases available for serology, 27 were shown to express the D antigen

CONCLUSION

1) Plasma cross-pool strategy is a reliable and cost-effective tool for RHD screening. 2) Only 0.2% of D- Polish donors carry some fragments of the RHD gene; all of them were C or E+. 3) Almost 60% of the detected RHD alleles may be potentially immunogenic when transfused to a D- recipient.

Maximum surgical blood ordering schedules for revision lower limb arthroplasty

BACKGROUND

Effective utilisation of blood products is fundamental. The introduction of maximum surgical blood ordering schedules (MSBOS) for operations has been shown to improve transfusion services. A retrospective analysis was undertaken to establish an evidence-based MSBOS for revision total hip replacement (THR) and total knee revision (TKR). The impact of this schedule on blood conservation was analysed.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was undertaken on 397 patients who underwent revision THR and TKR over a 4-year period. The cross-match-to-transfusion ratio (CTR) and transfusion index (TI) were calculated. A MSBOS protocol was created based on the TIs and its' impact on transfusion services was assessed prospectively on 125 patients by comparing CTRs.

RESULTS

In revision THR, TI was 1.19 for elective cases, 1.55 for emergency cases and 2.35 for infected cases. There was no difference in TI for revisions of cemented and uncemented components. Single component THR revision required less transfusion. In revision TKR, TI was 0.31 for elective cases, 2.0 for emergency cases and 1.23 for cases with infection. The introduction of the MSBOS protocol had resulted in a considerable improvement in blood ordering. Reductions in the CTR were seen for all types of revision surgery, but most evident in elective revision THR (3.24-2.18) and elective revision TKR (7.95-1.2).

CONCLUSIONS

Analysis confirmed that excessive cross-matching occurred for revision lower limb arthroplasty. The introduction of our MSBOS protocol promoted blood conservation and compliance with established national guidelines.

Do we really need to routinely crossmatch blood before primary total knee or hip arthroplasty?

BACKGROUND

A maximum surgical blood ordering schedule may lead to wastage of valuable resources due to over-ordering of blood and/or under-utilisation. We audited the results of a group-and-save (GS) policy for primary hip (THR) and knee (TKR) arthroplasty to evaluate its safety and practicality.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective review of consecutive patients attending for THR (177) or TKR (137) over a period of 8 months (phase 1). Following introduction of a limited GS policy, 205 THR and 147 TKR were reviewed prospectively over a corresponding period of 8 months (phase 2). Corresponding THR and TKR groups in each phase were comparable with respect to age, gender, length of stay, operating surgeon, pre- and lowest postoperative hemoglobin, reason for and timing of transfusion. Quantities (units) of blood requested pre- and postoperatively, transfused and returned to the blood bank, were recorded.

RESULTS

77 and 62% of all blood requested for THR and TKR, respectively, in phase 1 was not used. 58 and 21% of patients undergoing THR and TKR, respectively, in phase 2 underwent preoperative GS, with 92% and 100% of all blood requested being used for transfusion. Overall, the quantity of blood returned was reduced by 25% for the THR group. Transfusion rates fell by 9% and 5% for the TKR and THR groups, respectively. We found no adverse events associated with blood from a GS sample. Cost savings of 37 800 euro were calculated estimated for the study period (phase 2).

INTERPRETATION

For routine primary THR/TKR, GS policy is a safe procedure. Reduction in non-utilisation of blood has economic and cost-saving implications for limited healthcare resources. Having subsequently introduced a group-and-save policy for all patients undergoing routine THR/TKR, considerable savings have been identified after only 2 months.

Do patients with autoantibodies or clinically insignificant alloantibodies require an indirect antiglobulin test crossmatch?

BACKGROUND

Compatibility testing is the standard protocol that identifies suitable blood for patients requiring transfusion. If the antibody screen is negative or no clinically significant antibodies are detected, BCSH guidelines and AABB standards allow an immediate-spin crossmatch (IS XM) or even electronic issue. The testing requirement is less clear where autoantibodies or non-clinically significant alloantibodies compromise the indirect antiglobulin test crossmatch (IAT XM). Performing an IAT XM will give a mismatched result anyway, delays the supply of blood to the patient, and provides no additional benefit or safety.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

From January 2002 to April 2006, the provision of blood for autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) patients with autoantibodies and no alloantibodies as well as patients with alloantibodies that exhibited a "high-titer, low-avidity" (HTLA) mode of reactivity was reviewed.

RESULTS

A total of 222 AIHA patients (428 samples) with autoantibodies had 1585 units of red cells supplied after IAT XM; 1308 (82.5%) were mismatched. In 50 patients (80 samples) with HTLA-like antibodies, 286 units of 328 (87.2%) were mismatched by IAT XM.

CONCLUSION

No adverse reactions were reported for the study groups where "suitable" blood was provided after a serologically mismatched IAT XM. No additional benefit for these patients can be claimed by performing an IAT XM over an IS XM, as a check of ABO match. The IAT XM is both costly and time-consuming. It is proposed that for these study group patients, a reduction to an IS XM can be applied and can be beneficial.

Laboratory costs of a hospital-based blood transfusion service in Malawi

BACKGROUND

Despite policies advocating centralised transfusion services based on voluntary donors, the hospital-based replacement donor system is widespread in sub-Saharan Africa.

AIMS

To evaluate the cost of all laboratory resources needed to provide a unit of safe blood in rural Malawi using the family replacement donor system

METHODS

Full economic costs of all laboratory tests used to screen potential donors and to perform cross-matching were documented in a prospective, observational study in Ntcheu district hospital laboratory.

RESULTS

1729 potential donors were screened and 11,008 tests were performed to ensure that 1104 units of safe blood were available for transfusion. The annual cost of all transfusion-related tests (in 2005 USdollars) was USdollars 17,976, equivalent to USdollars 16.28 per unit of transfusion-ready blood. Transfusion-related tests used 53% of the laboratory's total annual expenditure of USdollars 33,608.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study to provide prospective economic costs of all laboratory tests associated with the family replacement donor system in a district hospital in Africa. Results show that despite potential economies of scale, a unit of blood from the centralised system costs about three times as much as one from the hospital-based "replacement" system. Factors affecting these relative costs are complex but are in part due to the cost of donor recruitment in centralised systems. In the replacement system the cost of donor recruitment is entirely borne by families of patients needing a blood transfusion.

Non-invasive antenatal RHD typing

The existence of cell free fetal DNA, derived from apoptotic syncytiotrophoblast, in the maternal circulation has opened new possibilities of non-invasive prenatal diagnosis. Although still some technical problems exists, especially the lack of a generic positive control on the presence of fetal DNA and the aspecific amplification of background maternal DNA, non-invasive prenatal RHD typing has been successfully introduced in several laboratories, especially in Europe. The diagnostic accuracy reaches>99%. In the Netherlands PCR guided administration of antenatal anti-D prophylaxis is cost-effective and nearby. In this review the main characteristics and applications of cell free fetal DNA are discussed, with an emphasis on prenatal RHD genotyping.

Thirty-day typing and screening for patients undergoing elective surgery: experience at a large cancer center

BACKGROUND

Preoperative testing in patients scheduled to undergo surgery often includes determining the ABO group and Rh type and screening for atypical alloantibodies in blood samples. AABB recommends obtaining blood samples within 3 days of transfusion. This was extended to 30 days to minimize the number of phlebotomies, avoid delays in providing blood during surgery, and decrease the laboratory workload. This study was conducted to show that extending the expiration date of the preoperative blood sample for blood typing and screening to 30 days will serve our purpose and provide better patient care.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Data were collected for all patients undergoing elective surgery with perioperative blood samples submitted to our blood bank over 31 months. Each patient completed a questionnaire to determine whether his or her samples qualified for a 30-day preoperative clot. The questionnaires were validated upon preoperative screening. A transfusion medicine physician made the final determination regarding whether the samples qualified for 30-day typing and screening. These blood samples were used for cross-matching to find compatible blood during surgery.

RESULTS

A total of 12,310 preoperative blood samples were received with a request for typing and screening, 4,370 (35.5%) of which qualified for a 30-day expiration date. No significant problems were encountered with these blood samples.

CONCLUSION

Extension of the preoperative clot expiration date from 3 to 30 days has improved service to our patients and their physicians and indirectly reduced the laboratory workload.

The health economics of blood use in cerebrovascular aneurysm surgery: the experience of a UK centre

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Surgical treatment of patients presenting with subarachnoid haemorrhage secondary to a leaking cerebrovascular aneurysm involves coiling or clipping. Traditionally all patients undergoing this procedure are cross-matched routinely. With ever-increasing strains on the health budget and transfusion services in particular, as well as the real, albeit low risk of transfusion transmitted disease, we propose that a simple 'group and save', coupled with a reliable 'fast-issue' blood transfusion service should replace this outdated concept.

METHOD

To assess this assumption, we carried out a retrospective analysis of 103 patients who underwent clipping or coiling during January to December 2001 in our Neurosurgical Unit.

RESULTS

All patients but one had been cross-matched (99%). However, only 33 patients (32%) eventually required a blood transfusion. In real terms, this meant a total of 294 units of blood that had been cross-matched routinely, in our series of 103 patients, were not used. Had these patients only been 'group and saved' and a system of 'fast-issue' been adopted, assuming that none of the patients had abnormal antibodies, the blood transfusion department would have made a saving of 4815.72 pounds sterling for this group of patients.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that advances in surgical technique have made routine cross-matching of blood in cerebral aneurysm surgery unnecessary.

[Necessity for blood transfusion in head and neck surgery]

INTRODUCTION

Sometimes, use of blood products is necessary in head and neck surgery, but blood transfusion also entails risks for the patients and causes high costs for the department. Therefore, we examined the surgical procedures in our department and analysed how often transfusion of blood was necessary and which expenses were incurred.

METHODS

Of 3989 operations performed in 1989, 187 patients were found to be at an increased risk for blood loss. The costs for blood group analysis (euro 23.16), cross-testing (euro 13.91) and the transfusion itself (euro 70.35) were estimated in each patient.

RESULTS

In 1998 more than 60% of the 187 patients had undergone extensive head and neck surgery for advanced squamous cell carcinoma. Only 17 patients (<15%) received nearly 45% of all units of stored blood transfused that year. In patients who had undergone skull base surgery, the probability of receiving blood was 30%. The transfusion-related costs were estimated to be euro 20,000 during the observation period. Potential savings could have been achieved in cross-testing.

CONCLUSION

Preparations should be done on an individual basis. Such preparations are sometimes unnecessary even in patients undergoing surgical procedures with a high risk for blood loss.

Validation of a Transfusion Prediction Model in Head and Neck Cancer Surgery

BACKGROUND

Allogeneic transfusions are necessary in 14% to 80% of patients undergoing major head and neck cancer surgery. Defining the risk for receiving allogeneic transfusion allows for informed decisions regarding appropriateness of type and crossmatch, preoperative autologous blood donation, and priming with erythropoietin. Based on logistic regression analysis of transfusion risk factors in 438 patients, we developed a transfusion prediction risk assessment (TPRA) model to determine the need for transfusion based on the preoperative hemoglobin value, tumor stage, and need for flap reconstruction.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the utility of this TPRA model in clinical practice by assessing the performance of the model in a validation set of patients.

METHODS

Between 1996 and 1999, 125 consecutive patients entered into a clinical care pathway underwent major surgical procedures. The ability of the model to discriminate between patients requiring and those not requiring transfusion was assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. The agreement between actual and predicted risks was tested using the chi2 goodness-of-fit statistic.

RESULTS

The overall transfusion rate was 25%. A 1-U transfusion was required in 7 patients, and multiple units were necessary for 24 patients. Flap reconstruction was required in 63 patients, 44 patients had preoperative anemia by normative values, and 64 had T3/T4 tumors. Among the low-risk non-T3/T4 patients whose preoperative hemoglobin level was normal, the actual/predicted transfusion rate without flap reconstruction was 10%/2%. For high-risk patients with T3/T4 tumors, anemia, and flap reconstruction, the actual/predicted transfusion rate was 43%/65%. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.72. The goodness-of-fit statistic indicated lack of fit of the original model, but a recalibrated model fit the observed data well.

CONCLUSIONS

In general, the TPRA model identifies patients at low or high risk for allogeneic transfusion and provides guidelines for preoperative counseling regarding the risk of receiving a transfusion. Knowledge of a patient's risk can help direct cost-effective utilization of type and crossmatch, preoperative autologous blood donation, and preoperative priming with erythropoietin.

A study of blood cross-matching requirements for surgery in gynecological oncology: Improved efficiency and cost saving

The objective of this study was to design and implement a maximum surgical blood order schedule (MSBOS) within a specialist gynecological oncology department in a tertiary referral center and evaluate its impact on the cross-match to transfusion ratio (CTR). A retrospective case note audit was undertaken to identify common operations performed within the unit and their transfusion requirements. The efficiency of blood usage was assessed using the CTR, and an MSBOS was devised and implemented. A prospective audit of preoperative blood cross-matching and subsequent blood usage was then performed for consecutive elective operations in the unit, to assess the effect of the MSBOS. The retrospective study of 222 cases demonstrated a CTR of 2.25 equivalent to 44% usage of cross-matched blood. Ninety two percent of operations performed within the unit could be incorporated into an MSBOS. The prospective study of 207 cases demonstrated a significantly reduced CTR of 1.71 or 59% blood usage (chi2 = 12.4, P < 0.001). This equates to a saving of 102 units of blood over the 15 months prospective audit. Protocol adherence was 77%. No patient was adversely affected by the adoption of the MSBOS. We conclude that an MSBOS can be safely introduced into a gynecological oncology department resulting in significant financial savings.

Provision of phenotype-matched blood units: no need for pre-transfusion antibody screening

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The Hong Kong government is planning to introduce an electronic smart identity card for all seven million citizens in 2003. If the smart card contains the full red cell phenotype/genotype of the individual, it may be possible to transfuse phenotype-matched blood units without pre-transfusion antibody screening. We conducted a feasibility study.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Red cell phenotype was determined for 407 donor blood units and 493 patients for whom an antibody screen had been ordered. The computer program selected phenotype-matched blood from the donor stock for the patients according to actual transfusion request. For patients with a positive antibody screen, full crossmatching was carried out with the computer-selected phenotype units. The frequencies of the various red cell phenotypes in the population were calculated from Red Cross data of antigen frequencies. The probabilities of finding at least one unit of phenotype-matched blood from a 300-unit hospital stock and a 4,000-unit Red Cross stock were determined for each phenotype. Cost analysis was performed.

RESULTS

Ninety-two out of 493 patients received a total of 395 blood units. The required number of phenotype-matched blood units could be found for 92 patients using a 300-unit pool and for all patients using a 4,000-unit pool. We calculated that phenotype-matched blood could be provided for more than 98% of patients without antibody screening. The total cost of the project is US$ 98 million with potential savings of US$ 14 million per year.

INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS

It is feasible and cost-effective to transfuse patients with phenotype-matched blood without antibody screening using a smart card system.

Cost-effectiveness of routine blood type and screen testing for cesarean section

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the usefulness and cost-effectiveness of admission blood type and screen testing for cesarean section.

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective review was conducted on patients transfused with blood during an admission that required a cesarean section over a three-year period at a tertiary care hospital.

RESULTS

Of 3,962 patients who underwent cesarean section, 132 (3.3%) required a blood transfusion during their hospital stay. Medical records of 125 of the 132 patients were evaluated as to urgency and risk factors. (Seven charts could not be located.) Most of the blood transfusions were related to previously identified risk factors, including previous cesarean section, chorioamnionitis, placenta previa, abnormal presentation (breech or transverse lie), multiple pregnancies, abruptio placentae and admission anemia. Three patients received an urgent blood transfusion without a previously identifiable risk factor. Thus, we found an overall urgent blood transfusion rate without admission risk factors to be 0.8 per 1,000 cesarean sections.

CONCLUSION

In the absence of significant risk factors, routine admission blood type and screen testing for cesarean section does not enhance patient care and should be eliminated. In the rare event that a patient without a previously identified risk factor requires an urgent blood transfusion, O negative blood could be given in the interim pending formal determination of type and cross-match.

Cost effectiveness of routine type and screen testing before laparoscopic cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to assess the cost effectiveness of routine preoperative blood type and screen testing before laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

METHODS

All 2,589 laparoscopic cholecystectomies and 603 open cholecystectomies performed at our institution between January 1990 and December 1996 were retrospectively reviewed to identify the incidence and causes of blood transfusions. With the use of ICD-9-CM coding, a computerized retrospective research was done to match the corresponding codes for the aforementioned operations and blood transfusion. Individual charts were reviewed to identify the indications for blood transfusion.

RESULTS

Of the 2,589 laparoscopic cholecystectomies performed, 12 patients required blood transfusion, and of the 603 open cholecystectomies, 33 patients required blood transfusion. The incidence of blood transfusions was 0.46% for laparoscopic cholecystectomy and 5.47% for open cholecystectomy. Two of the blood transfusions given intraoperatively were due to major vascular injury in the laparoscopic cholecystectomy group. The remaining blood transfusions were found to be the result of preexisting medical conditions including sickle-cell anemia, end-stage renal disease, and chronic iron deficiency anemia.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has become a widely used therapeutic modality in general surgery. The procedure is safe, effective, and well tolerated by the patient. In the era of managed healthcare, the cost effectiveness of commonly ordered tests is frequently questioned. In the absence of preoperative indications, routine preoperative blood type and screen testing should be eliminated for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The elimination of routine preoperative blood type and screen testing could have saved our institution $79,800 during a 6-year period.

Maximum surgical blood ordering schedule in a district general hospital saves money and resources

A 6-month prospective audit was carried out in three surgical departments of a district general hospital. Over that period, 2720 units of red cells were electively cross-matched, 957 being transfused. The overall cross-match-to-transfusion ratio (CTR) was 2.8, but this varied from over 40 for some gynaecological procedures to 1.5 for major surgical procedures. The average CTR for general surgery was 2.2, orthopaedics 2.3, and obstetrics and gynaecology 5.7. A maximum surgical blood ordering system (MSBOS) was introduced and a second 6-month audit carried out. The number of units cross-matched had fallen by 36% to 1746, with a CTR of 1.8. The change in activity had led to a saving conservatively estimated at 11,616.00 Pounds per annum. Local audit and the introduction of a MSBOS in a district general hospital is an exercise which can demonstrate inefficiencies in blood ordering practices and can lead to large financial savings without detracting from standards of patient care.

Use of blood products in cardiac surgery

The quantity of blood products used perioperatively during cardiac surgery is known to vary widely between institutions. This study looked at the amount of blood products used perioperatively in 74 consecutive elective cardiac operations in one institution. The results are compared with those from other European centres and a cost analysis carried out. On average 2.33 +/- 0.74 (95% confidence interval 1.93-2.77) units of red cell concentrate were transfused perioperatively per patient. Six (8%) patients received no blood products. In addition a number of preoperative factors were studied in an attempt to identify predictors of transfusion requirements. Age, preoperative haemoglobin, female sex and red cell mass were all found to have some predictive value. In the face of increasing demands on a limited supply of blood products we question the need for cross matching more than four units of red cell concentrate in elective cardiac surgery.

[Type and Screen: immunohematological safety is ensured and costs are lowered]

TYPE AND SCREEN: (T + S) means: no routine cross match before transfusion. ABO- and Rh-(Blgr) blood groups (type) are done and irregular allo-antibodies are sought (screen). If screen is negative, instant saline test (IST) or Blgr control, and if screen is positive, conventional cross match is done.

GOALS

Are all clinically relevant antibodies discovered with T + S? Are laboratory costs lower?

METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN

Prospective study over more than 3 years. Blgr and cross match were done in tubes and AB screen and antibody identification (panel) were sought using the gel-test (DiaMed) with bromelin (enz) and LISS antiglobulin test (IAT). Underlying all testing were the directives of the Swiss blood donation services.

RESULTS

Enzyme-only positive antibodies are not relevant for blood transfusion, as shown by our data from more than 10000 comparisons of enz- and IAT-screens. 32 patients with positive enz-antibodies and negative cross match were transfused without problems. The enz-screen was abandoned for more than 12 months' follow-up in more than 20000 transfused patients. Before using the T + S, one unit of transfused RBC needed (on average) 3.7 cross matches, and after introduction of T + S only 0.3. Although the number of T + S increased significantly, we effectively saved some CHF 280000 per year.

Pre-cesarean blood bank orders: a safe and less expensive approach

OBJECTIVES

To 1) characterize pre-cesarean blood bank testing, 2) describe the transfusion experience in a large series of cesarean patients, and 3) evaluate safety and cost implications of a "hold clot" order for patients at low risk for transfusion.

METHODS

A review of 1111 consecutive cesarean patients used computerized perinatal and blood bank data bases and a detailed chart review of all cross-matched patients. Information collected included indications for cesarean and transfusion, etiology of hemorrhage, transfusion number and type, admission and lowest hemoglobin level, and information regarding the events leading to transfusion. A blinded review of the cross-matched patient's information assessed whether a cross-match was appropriate or could have been replaced safely by a "hold clot" (current clot tube in blood bank) order.

RESULTS

Nineteen patients (1.7%) were transfused. The only patients requiring a transfusion were diagnosed with placenta previa, placenta accreta, anemia, preeclampsia/hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets (HELLP syndrome), or hemorrhage. A comparison of two blood banking approaches (routine pre-cesarean type and screen testing versus a "hold clot" order for cesarean patients at low risk for transfusion) indicated that the latter would reduce costs by $45 per cesarean, or $95,000 annually.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of transfusion was low (1.7%) and associated with specific diagnoses (previa, accreta, anemia, preeclampsia/HELLP, or hemorrhage). The data support the replacement of pre-cesarean type and screen testing with a "hold clot" order for patients at low risk for transfusion with negative prenatal antibody screen. This approach is safe and would reduce cost substantially.

Transfusion-to-cross-match community comparison data

With blood supplies at low levels, and replacement and utilization becoming important issues throughout the nation, the Oregon Medical Professional Review Organization (OMPRO) looked at the blood replacement process in Oregon. The study addressed the utilization of type-and-screening and cross-matching in the acute care hospital setting-comparing the more common and expensive cross-match procedure to the less expensive and less utilized type-and-screen. The methodology involved two phases: (a) data collection, evaluation, and feedback to the hospitals and (b) post-monitoring. Although the study did not control for all possible variables, the post-monitoring results demonstrated an increase in the ratio from 0.569 (1992 data) to 0.577. For 1994, the total statewide transfusion cost was estimated at $5,909,700 as compared to $6,423,900 (1992 data)--a savings of more than $500,000 per year. By implementing minimal changes in the way blood is ordered and tested, hospitals can improve quality by maintaining a readily available blood supply, eliminating waste and saving money.

Wasted health care dollars. Routine cord blood type and Coombs' testing

OBJECTIVE

To determine if selective newborn cord blood testing (NCBT) could contain costs without increasing morbidity of hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN).

DESIGN

A national telephone survey confirmed the common practice of routine blood type and Coombs' NCBT. Two 12-month study arms, retrospective and prospective, were conducted. Hemolytic disease of the newborn was studied retrospectively under an unrestricted NCBT policy. Then, HDN was studied after a policy change that restricted NCBT to patients in newborn intensive care units and normal newborns with clinical jaundice or Rh-negative mothers, and/or positive maternal antibody screenings, or unavailable maternal blood testing.

PARTICIPANTS

All newborns (N = 8501) at the Metro-Health Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio, were studied (retrospective arm, all 1989 admissions; prospective arm, all July 1990 to June 1991 admissions).

OUTCOME MEASURES

Blood type and Coombs' NCBT, maternal blood type and antibody screening, Hobel risk scores for clinical severity of newborn hospitalization, duration of hospitalizations, and peak serum bilirubin levels.

RESULTS

No quantitative or qualitative increases in morbidity from jaundice were detected by retrospective analysis with unrestricted NCBT, or prospectively after selective testing on 4498 newborns. Each study arm resulted in 15 readmissions for jaundice; these included two patients with ABO HDN. Furthermore, selective testing resulted in performance of NCBTs on only 390 infants in the "normal" nursery (24% of the original sample). Estimates projected on 1991 US births (4,111,000) showed that selective NCBT offers potential yearly savings above $30.8 million of patient charges, savings above $11.3 million of hospital costs, and the reassignment of more than 112 personnel full-time equivalents.

CONCLUSION

Selective NCBT decreases the use of resources and costs without apparent additional patient morbidity from HDN.

Cost-effectiveness of routine blood type and screen testing before elective laparoscopy

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the usefulness and cost-effectiveness of the routine preoperative evaluation of blood type and screen testing before laparoscopy.

METHODS

A retrospective review was conducted in patients transfused with blood during or after laparoscopy over a 3-year period at Hutzel Hospital, Detroit, Michigan; Grace Hospital, Southfield, Michigan; and Bixby Medical Center, Adrian, Michigan.

RESULTS

Of 7529 women receiving laparoscopic procedures, 57 required blood transfusion at laparoscopy. Medical records of the 57 patients requiring blood transfusion were evaluated as to urgency and indication. All 57 subsequent blood transfusions were found to be the result of previously identifiable problems, including ectopic pregnancy and preoperative anemia. No patient required transfusion for a vascular injury.

CONCLUSION

In the absence of preoperative indications, routine preoperative type and screen testing for elective and emergency laparoscopic procedures does not enhance patient care and should be eliminated.

Electronic verification of donor-recipient compatibility: the computer crossmatch

BACKGROUND

This article describes standard operating procedures (SOPs) for a computer crossmatch to replace the immediate-spin crossmatch for ABO incompatibility between patient blood samples submitted for pretransfusion testing and the blood component selected for transfusion. These SOPs were developed following recent changes to the Standards for Blood Banks and Transfusion Services of the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB).

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

SOPs were developed, utilizing currently available software, for pretransfusion testing. The SOP for donor unit processing entails bar code entry of the unit number, component name, and ABO/Rh type; computer entry and interpretation of serologic reactions; warning of discrepancies between bar code-entered blood type and result interpretation; and quarantine of the donor unit in such instances. The SOP for patient sample testing requires bar code entry of specimen accession number, which accesses patient demographics; computer entry and interpretation of ABO/Rh tests; repeat blood typing at the time of crossmatch if only one patient blood type is on record; and warning if there are nonconcordant current and historical blood types. The computer crossmatch SOP requires bar code entry of specimen accession and donor unit numbers; release of group O red cells pending resolution of discrepancies; and immediate-spin crossmatch during computer downtime. Tables validated on-site prompt warning messages and prevent both computer crossmatch and release if blood components of the wrong ABO type are selected.

RESULTS

These SOPs meet the requirements of the 15th edition of the AABB Standards. Projected annual time savings at this institution are > 100,000 workload recording units. Further benefits include reduced patient sample volume requirements, less handling of biohazardous material, and elimination of unwanted positive or negative reactions associated with the immediate-spin crossmatch. Release of incompatible blood components when the wrong patient blood type is on record is addressed by requiring the use of group O red cells in the absence of two concordant blood types, one of which must be from a current sample.

CONCLUSION

A combination of existing computer programs and carefully developed SOPs can provide a safe and efficient means of detecting donor-recipient incompatibility without performance of serologic crossmatch.

Safety and cost-containment data that advocate abbreviated pretransfusion testing

Abbreviated pretransfusion testing, although permitted by American Association of Blood Banks Standards for unimmunized patients, is not widely practiced. Concerns remain about optimal antibody screening methods, antibodies missed by deleting the antiglobulin crossmatch, and cost-effectiveness. The authors prospectively tested 3,380 serum samples for blood type, antibody screen, and antiglobulin crossmatch. Antibody screens for 2,000 samples, performed with the use of a two-cell screen, were compared with 1,380 samples studied with a three-cell screen. Also, all 3,380 sera had major crossmatches performed carried through the antiglobulin phase. Two and three screening cells gave comparable results, with 5.45% of patients tested by two-cell and 5.22% by three-cell screens having a positive antibody screen. Of those with negative screens, 0.5% screened by two-cell screens and 0.8% by three-cell screens had a positive major crossmatch. Among these (negative antibody screen, positive crossmatch), only 0.03% (1 of 3.380) had a clinically significant alloantibody (anti-Kpa); 0.27% (9 of 3,380) had antiglobulin crossmatch positive with polyspecific antisera but negative with anti-IgG; and 0.12% (4 of 3,380) had positive crossmatch because of passive anti-A. By cost accounting of labor and reagents, 84 per unit would be saved using abbreviated versus complete pretransfusion testing. Blood banks now performing complete pretransfusion testing should reconsider abbreviated crossmatching for unimmunized patients as a safe, efficacious means of cost-containment.

[Introduction of a new card for the "bedside test"]

A new card for the obligatory ABO-group test is presented. There is sufficient space to perform the test by mixing patient and donor blood to the relevant antisera. As it does not offer any further information, testing for anti-AB has been deleted. Contaminated areas can easily be discarded afterward, minimizing any risk of infection. Only the documentation on the remaining portion of the card is legally important and needs to be entered into the patient's records. Choosing a new manufacturer has resulted in a very low price.

A one-step Du test in microplates

A one-step Du test, developed for use in automated microplate systems, uses anti-D with 0.6 percent dextran to potentiate the reaction. Because the washing and reagent-adding steps of the antiglobulin test are not required, the Du test can be performed in the same microplate as the ABO/Rh test. A set of reactions prepared with this technique was visually interpreted and also classified by an automated microplate ABO/Rh system. Visual interpretation of reactions resulted in a sensitivity and specificity close to those of the antiglobulin test, although the sensitivity of the test was reagent-dependent. When the automated microplate blood grouping system was used, the test was not as sensitive or as specific as the antiglobulin test, although it may be sufficient for many applications.

Maximum surgical blood order schedule reduces hospital costs

The maximum surgical blood order schedule (MSBOS) is a viable option for reducing unnecessary crossmatching and achieving significant cost savings in the blood bank. A MSBOS specifies, and thus limits, the amount of blood normally crossmatched for elective surgical procedures. During the first 10 months after introducing MSBOS at our hospital, there was a 33 per cent drop in the number of units of blood crossmatched for elective surgical procedures. The 712 crossmatches that were avoided saved the hospital blood bank more than $6000. Patient care was not adversely affected. Institution of MSBOS can be accomplished without difficulty by gaining input from surgeons and anesthesiologists. After implementation, follow-up is advisable to attain optimal blood use.

Cost analysis of routine laboratory testing in blood centers

The direct costs of ABO, Rh, Du, syphilis, and antibody screening tests were investigated. Questionnaires from 58 blood centers were analyzed to compare cost-effectiveness among methods of testing and annual collection volume as well as differences in cost of the various methods of testing within the same-size center. We found that "expensive" automated equipment cannot be justified on the basis of direct costs in centers processing less than 100,000 units of blood per year and that there is a wide variation in costs among centers using the same equipment.

Experience with a cost-effective crossmatch protocol

Pretransfusion blood samples were routinely tested for ABO group, Rh type, and the presence of unexpected red blood cell antibodies. Patients who had unexpected red blood cell antibodies received transfusions of blood that was crossmatched using an immediate spin test, a 37 degrees C incubation step, and an indirect antiglobulin test. Patients who did not have unexpected red blood cell antibodies received transfusions with blood that was crossmatched by an immediate spin crossmatch only. Because the average immediate spin crossmatch required only 3.25 minutes to be performed, crossmatches were not done for patients without unexpected antibodies until blood was actually requested to be issued for transfusion. During the first 8 1/2 months this protocol was used, 27,742 crossmatches were performed and 46,959 unnecessary crossmatches were avoided, thus reducing direct costs by at least +49,300. This protocol also allowed for optimal blood inventory control and minimized the outdating of units of blood to only 0.19%.

Microtest for red cell typing

A simple microtest for red cell (RBC) typing was developed which required 0.002 ml of reagents per test. After mixing RBCs with antibody, the microtray was incubated upside down for 10 to 15 minutes at 37 degrees C, and 10 minutes at room temperature. The trays were read after reinversion and allowing 10 to 15 minutes for the RBCs to settle. Antibodies must be selected that react under these conditions. Two examples each of anti-A, -B, -C, -D, -E, -c, -M, and -N were tested against a panel of 500 individuals. The results were generally concordant with each other and with the conventional tube test results. The procedure is simple to perform and involves minimal costs for reagent antisera.

[Automation of immunohematologic testing activities at French blood transfusion centers]

In May 1982, a questionnaire was sent to all of the 170 French Blood Transfusion Services (BTS), on behalf of the French Society of Blood Transfusion. The purpose was to determine the types of automated equipment used for immunohematological controls, the way in which they are used and the result of automation and computerization in daily laboratory operations. We received 135 replies (80%). A generalized conclusion can be drawn from the collected information. 50% of the respondents are neither automated nor computerized. 30% are both automated and computerized. 10% are automated but not computerized and 8% are not automated but are computerized. In the field of automated serology there is an increased tendency to complete the ABO/Rh testing by Cc D Ee and Kell phenotyping. The use of computers allows the current test determination to be compared with previous donation data. However, no fully automated equipment, which can conduct antibody screening, exists, cost effectively, in small or average BTS. In France, there has been a significant increase in automation between 1970 and 1980 but only the most important BTS have carried out automation at the same time as computerization. The smaller BTS have usually become automated without becoming computerized. In 1978, Codabar was first used. This has been one of the principal advances of the last 10 years, allowing all the users of automation to start moving towards complete computerization. This advance was assisted by the use of prepackaged software. This questionnaire also determined that the current emphasis is now to computerize administrative and management activities before laboratory activities. This survey has been conducted during a turning point of the automation of French BTS. It shows that they are, on the whole, satisfied with their automation. As far as the safety and the efficiency of the service are concerned, it is only fair to consider that the main purposes of the automation have been achieved. But in terms of cost, and serological accuracy for antibody screening, a new generation of automated equipment should appear to satisfy the users in the nineties.

Optimal blood use in genitourinary surgery

The most commonly performed urologic surgical procedure is transurethral resection of the prostate. We reviewed the crossmatching and transfusion records of 226 patients who had undergone transurethral prostatectomy at our hospital from 1977 through 1979. Only 13 patients (5.8 per cent) received a transfusion. The crossmatched-to-transfused ratio was 21.5. Preoperative ABO-Rh typing and antibody screen are safe and cost-effective alternatives to preoperative crossmatching of blood for uncomplicated transurethral prostatectomy.