Safety and Effectiveness of a Patient Blood Management (PBM) Program in Surgical Patients

Background: The transfusion of allogeneic red blood cell units might be associated with increased morbidity and mortality due to infectious, immunological, pulmonary and thromboembolic complications. However, transfusion practice currently varies significantly between hospitals and even between physicians and Patient Blood Management programs have not been implemented nationwide in Germany yet. Patient Blood Management (PBM) concepts aim to identify and optimize patients at risk of allogeneic blood transfusions, to promote blood-sparing techniques and restrictive transfusion practices. A rational use of red blood cell concentrates and safe clinical transfusion practice is mandatory. The purpose of the German PBM network is to evaluate the safety of a standardized, evidence-based Patient Blood management concept.

Study Design and Methods: This epidemiological study is a follow-up of a study that is already being carried out in four German university hospitals. This new prospective, multi-centre trial comprises approximately 20 different hospitals of varying size and levels of patient care. A patient-centred, evidence-based Patient Blood Management program will be enrolled in each of these hospitals reforming the care of adult patients undergoing any type of surgery. This PBM program includes the following three main pillars: 1) preoperative optimization of hemoglobin levels in high-risk patients with anaemia, 2) standardization of transfusion practice and transfusion triggers according to evidence-based guidelines and 3) alternatives to transfusion of allogeneic RBC concentrates and blood-sparing techniques (like routine use of cell saver systems, point-of-care diagnostics, optimized coagulation management, restrictive blood sampling).