Reduced red blood cell transfusion in cardiothoracic surgery after implementation of a novel clinical decision support tool.

Background: Packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusion can increase short- and long-term adverse outcomes and health care costs. We compared the transfusion practices in cardiothoracic surgery before and after implementation of a novel clinical decision support (CDS) tool.

Study Design: The transfusion CDS tool was implemented within computerized provider order entry of a multi-institutional urban hospital system in September 2012.