Windsor Regional Hospital has a new designation for using donated blood more wisely.
The Using Blood Wisely designation comes from Choosing Wisely Canada just four years after the hospital had one of the highest transfusion rates in the province.
In 2018, the hospital performed about 700 transfusions a month and now it performs about 400.
“In the past, it was standard practice to give two units of blood at a time with the intention of providing the best benefit for the patient. However, recent research indicates less is more. ‘Why give two when one will do’,” said Coordinator for the Transfusion Medicine Department Alexandra Zioutis. “We have other treatments that can be given prior to giving blood that can help an individual and potentially avoid a transfusion. There are times when blood is required hence the reason these guidelines were formulated by Choosing Wisely. Therefore, this has improved quality care, and decreased adverse effects to the patient with transfusions.”
To reduce the number of transfusions done, the Labs and Transfusion Medicine staff have implemented new guidelines set out by Choosing Wisely Canada and Canada Blood Services.
“The Using Blood Wisely Hospital Designation symbolizes a commitment to red blood cell stewardship and to the continuous pursuit of quality improvement,” said Choosing Wisely Canada Chair Dr. Wendy Levinson.
