A Patient Blood Management Program in Prosthetic Joint Arthroplasty Decreases Blood Use and Improves Outcomes

The objective of this study was to determine if a Patient Blood Management (PBM) program implemented for patients undergoing THA or TKA would result in a decrease in the percentage of patients transfused PRBCs and improve outcomes. Decision support, a key driver for this program, was built into the electronic medical record. This retrospective cohort study included 12,590 patients and demonstrated a 44% decrease in the percentage of patients transfused. This was associated with a significant reduction in complications, 30 day readmissions and HLOS. A PBM program for patients undergoing prosthetic joint arthroplasty for primary and revision total hip and knee arthroplasty results in fewer transfusions and is associated with improved outcomes.