Effect of Using a Standardized Iron Regimen on Blood Transfusions in Critically-Ill, Trauma and Acute Care Surgical Patients Michelle Vu PharmD, Leslie Roebuck PharmD, Jason VanLandingham PharmD, BCPS Northeast Georgia Health Systems - Gainesville, GA
Background/Purpose: Determine the effect that using non-standardized versus standardized intravenous (IV) iron affects the number of blood transfusions in critically-ill trauma and acute care surgical patients and quantify the projected cost avoidance in using a standardized iron regimen.
Methodology: The study included subjects who were at least 18 years of age, admitted to the surgical trauma intensive care unit, and received at least one dose of IV iron dextran or iron sucrose. Data was collected via retrospective chart review and included iron administration, number of blood transfusions, and relevant labs.
Results: Twenty-six patients were included in the IRB-approved study. The non-standardized IV iron group required an average of 2.7 blood transfusions per patient (range 0 _x0013_ 12), and the standardized IV iron group required an average of 0.73 blood transfusions per patient (range 0 _x0013_ 5). All of the patients in the pre-standardized group received all doses of iron ordered, while 34% of the patients in the standardized iron group received all doses of iron ordered. The projected cost saved in blood products alone was more with the use of standardized IV iron sucrose.
Conclusions: Using the standardized IV iron supplementation resulted in less blood transfusions. Continuing to trend the blood product usage with either iron dextran or iron sucrose and optimizing doses could result in improved blood product stewardship.
Presentation Objective: Propose a possible patient blood management tool in using a standardized iron regimen that may reduce the number of blood transfusions required in trauma/surgery patients.
Self-Assessment: What is one possible pharmacy-driven patient blood management tool?
