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Article
Blood Management Strategies to Reduce Transfusions After Elective Lower-Extremity Joint Arthroplasty Surgeries: One Tertiary Care Hospital's Early Experience With an Alternative Payment Model-a Total Joint "Bundle".
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  • Ankit Kansagra, MD, Baystate Health
  • Chester Andrzejewski, MD, Baystate Health
  • Robert Krushell, MD, Baystate Health
  • Andrew Lehman, MD, Baystate Health
  • Jordan Greenbaum, MD, Baystate Health
  • Paul Visintainer, Baystate Health
  • Joan McGirr, Baystate Health
  • Kathleen Mahoney, MD, Baystate Health
  • Darlene Cloutier, Baystate Health
  • Alice Ehresman, Baystate Health
  • Mihaela Stefan, MD, Baystate Health
Document Type
Article, Peer-reviewed
Publication Date
11-1-2017
Abstract

Blood loss associated with lower-extremity total joint arthroplasty (TJA) often results in anemia and the need for red blood cell transfusions (RBCTs). This article reports on a quality improvement initiative aimed at improving blood management strategies in patients undergoing TJA. A multifaceted intervention (preoperative anemia assessment, use of tranexamic acid, discouragement of autologous preoperative blood collection, restrictive RBCT protocols) was implemented. The results were stratified into 3 intervention periods: 1, pre; 2, peri; and 3, post. Fractional logistic regression was used to describe differences between various intervention periods. During the study period, 2511 patients underwent TJA. Compared with the preintervention period, there was 81.8% decrease in total units of RBCT during the postintervention period. Using activity-based costing (~$1000/unit), the annualized saving in RBC expenditure was $480 000. A multidisciplinary approach can be successful and sustainable in reducing RBCT and its associated costs for patients undergoing TJA.

PMID
28107785
Citation Information
Kansagra A, Andrzejewski C, Krushell R, Lehman A, Greenbaum J, Visintainer P, McGirr J, Mahoney K, Cloutier D, Ehresman A, Stefan MS. Blood Management Strategies to Reduce Transfusions After Elective Lower-Extremity Joint Arthroplasty Surgeries: One Tertiary Care Hospital's Early Experience With an Alternative Payment Model-a Total Joint "Bundle". Am J Med Qual. 2017 Nov/Dec;32(6):668-674.