A blood-use protocol program at Loyola University Hospital in Chicago has lowered the amount of blood products transfused per patient, which in turn has led to greater patient safety and lowered costs, according to research presented at the College of American Pathologists annual meeting in Chicago. The program implemented blood-use protocols that included evidence-based indications, educational programs for doctors and nurses, and oversight of the Blood Utilization Review Committee. Some patients now receive less blood or no blood at all without compromising patient care. For example, a doctor might now instead order 1 unit of blood and then reassess later to see if a second unit is needed instead of successively administering 2 units of blood. In 2009, the average amount of blood products transfused per patient at Loyola was 10% lower than it was in 2008, saving $453,355.
