Activity‐based costs of blood transfusions in surgical patients at four hospitals

Abstract

Applicable to various hospital practices, the ABC model confirms that blood costs have been underestimated and that they are geographically variable and identifies opportunities for cost containment. Studies to determine whether more stringent control of blood utilization improves health care utilization and quality, and further reduces costs, are warranted.

Patient Blood Management in Europe

“…The total costs were 3-to 5-fold higher than blood product acquisition costs alone. 56 Indirect costs have previously associated with the legal ramifications of contaminated blood supplies, and also the personal costs to affected donors and patients. 56 -58 Despite the risks, limited benefits, costs, and scarcity, a substantial proportion of RBC transfusions given today may not be appropriate or justified according to the report of the ICCTO panel and several reports on variable transfusion practices in otherwise comparable populations.…”

A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial to Assess the Effect of Intravenous versus Oral Iron Therapy in the Treatment of Preoperative Anaemia

“…However, the predicted cost of transfusing a blood unit in the hospital per-RBC-unit is calculated between $522 and $1183 USD (mean, 761 ± 294) in recent studies [15,16]. In addition the cost of nursing staff and materials used to administer this unit is approximately $300 AUD at our hospital subject to a significant increase depending on occurrence of complications [16].…”

The Prospective Evaluation of the Net Effect of Red Blood Cell Transfusions in Routine Provision of Palliative Care

“…16 RBC are also a limited resource, raising ethical challenges for palliative care clinicians in balancing individual patient needs and the wider societal requirements. 17 The aim of this study was to quantify prospectively in a multi-site, consecutive cohort of hospice / palliative care patients the net clinical effects on anaemia-related symptoms of RBC transfusions to help clinicians optimise future care.…”