Measuring nurses' accuracy of estimating blood loss

Abstract

Estimation is the most commonly used method to determine blood loss. According to the literature, estimating blood loss is not exact; there are wide margins of error and blood loss tends to be underestimated. Forty-two registered nurses were asked to estimate varied amounts of blood on 20 peripads. Both over- and underestimation occurred; 71% overestimated and 25% underestimated blood loss. There was also disagreement as to what constituted heavy, moderate or slight blood loss. There was no difference in accuracy among variables of education, years of experience, specialty area, or when and how nurses learned to estimate. Contrary to current literature, these nurses: 1 overestimated blood loss; 2 had significant difficulty in estimating very small and very large amounts of blood; 3 although in error, were consistent in estimating repeated samples with the same amounts of blood; 4 were not consistent in estimating heavy, moderate, and slight blood loss.

Estimation of External Blood Loss by Paramedics: Is There Any Point?

“…results also are found in comparable studies and reports, including estimations by doctors, nurses, and midwives. [5][6][7][8][9][10] No other studies have investigated whether preemployment (pre-registration), undergraduate, paramedic, university students can accurately estimate external blood loss or whether university students' lack of experience and exposure makes them less accurate. No formal integration of previous research in this area has been included in undergraduate paramedic learning objectives.…”

“…These findings have educational implications for undergraduate paramedic curriculum, education, and training requirements.The inaccurate estimations in this study also are supported by other prehospital studies, 1,3,4 and additionally in other allied health professions. [5][6][7][8][9][10] Generally, students were accurate with their estimations on the vinyl surface. Moscati et al found similar findings in the study, where students estimated differing amounts on porous and non-porous surfaces.…”

“…This apparent dichotomy also was highlighted in several other studies. 1,[3][4][5][6][7][8]10 Of significance, Dildy et al found that estimation error did not improve with those paramedics with clinical experience even after didactic teaching sessions on estimating external blood loss had occurred. Therefore, reinforcing that clinical experience is not important in assessing blood loss estimates.…”

How accurate is visual estimation of perioperative blood loss in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis surgery?

“…The anesthesiologist in this study was also an experienced physician, but it has been demonstrated that the accuracy of PBL estimation is unrelated to seniority or experience. 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 …”

Nyttig bidrag for å redusere mødredødelighet

“…Six observational studies (4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9), with a total of 594 participants, compared visual estimation with known values in the delivery room or in simulated scenarios. Three studies (10-12) compared visual or quantified estimations with laboratory measurement in 331 vaginal deliveries.…”