Effect of hospital culture on blood transfusion in cardiac procedures.

Background: In our effort to reduce the use of blood products in cardiac operations in a health care system, we noted variations in transfusion practices among facilities. Interestingly, surgeons practicing at the same hospital had similar transfusion rates. We sought to quantitate the contribution of hospital influence on individual surgeons' transfusion practices.

The perfusionist's role in a collaborative multidisciplinary approach to blood transfusion reduction in cardiac surgery.

Red blood cell transfusion is associated with adverse outcomes. Transfusion practices remain varied in cardiac surgery and are a subject of growing debate. We initiated a data-driven, multidisciplinary effort to decrease allogeneic red blood cell transfusion at our institution.

Blood transfusion reduction in cardiac surgery: multidisciplinary approach at a community hospital.

Background: Mounting evidence exists for more restrictive blood transfusion practices in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Few studies, however, have recognized or agree upon a method by which this decrease in allogeneic red blood cell transfusion can be achieved. We will review our methods and experience in a blood conservation initiative from 2003 to 2007.

Retrograde autologous prime with shortened bypass circuits decreases blood transfusion in high-risk coronary artery surgery patients.

Previous studies have shown that minimizing the amount of hemodilution during open-heart surgery reduces the need for a blood transfusion. Transfusion increases a patient's medical risks and leads to increased costs. We used a shortened bypass circuit, primed with autologous blood in a retrograde fashion, to decrease red cell transfusion in high-risk patients.