Introduction:

Anemia is a highly prevalent disorder. Preoperative anemia is associated with higher mortality, more complications, longer hospital stays, and higher healthcare costs. Red blood cell transfusion (RBC) does not improve these outcomes. The World Health Organization recommends implementing Patient Blood Management (PBM) programmes, as they can improve these clinical outcomes, reduce unnecessary RBC transfusions, and save costs. Despite compelling evidence, the implementation of these measures has yet to be effectively achieved. The objective of this study is to conduct a situational analysis to raise awareness about this issue and encourage the implementation of these measures.

Methodology:

An observational, longitudinal, retrospective cohort study was conducted at a single center. All patients undergoing elective surgery from 01/01/2022 to 01/04/2022 at the Hospital de Clínicas were included. Exclusion criteria: absence of a complete blood count in the three months prior to surgery and refusal to participate in the study.

Results:

A total of 329 surgeries were analyzed. 52 out of 100 procedures were performed on patients with anemia. A statistically significant association was found between preoperative anemia and receiving RBC transfusion during hospitalization. OR 11.746 (4.518 - 30.540). Anemia and RBC transfusions significantly prolonged hospital stay. Length of hospitalization based on patient condition: No anemia: 10.1 ± 1.1 days, with anemia: 27.2 ± 2.3 days. Value of p < 0.001. Non-transfused: 14.5 ± 1.3 days, transfused: 41.8 ± 4.4 days. Value of p < 0.001. Only 49 (28.6%) of the 171 patients with anemia had iron metabolism assessed before surgery. Among the 140 patients with Hb < 12 g/dL undergoing surgeries with non-insignificant bleeding, only 4 received specific treatment to optimize Hb. A total of 185 units of red blood cells (RBC) were administered during hospitalization. 49 to unstable patients (intraoperative or acute hemorrhage) and 136 to stable patients. From the analysis of the latter group, 42.5% of the patients received 3 or more RBC units. The average pre-transfusion hemoglobin was 7.0 ± 0.1. A statistically significant association was found between receiving RBC units and dying during hospitalization. OR 17.182 (3.360 - 87.872).

Conclusiones:

A situational analysis was conducted, revealing a high prevalence of preoperative anemia, scarce study and treatment of anemia before surgeries, and an excessive amount of blood transfusions received by some patients. This work establishes the need to implement Patient Blood Management programs to reduce the prevalence of preoperative anemia and improve our transfusion practices. It also sets a comparative framework to evaluate the progress of these measures and indicates possible indicators to assess the benefits of their implementation.

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