Transfusion practices in cirrhotic patients at a tertiary liver care center from Northern India

Abstract Introduction: Transfusion in cirrhotic patients remains a challenge due to the absence of evidence-based guidelines. Our study aimed to determine the indication of transfusion and the associated transfusion thresholds in cirrhotic patients. Methods: This retrospective observational study was conducted in the Department of Transfusion Medicine at a tertiary care liver center from October 2018 to March 2019. The blood bank and patient records of cirrhotic patients admitted during the study period were retrieved and analyzed to determine the current transfusion practice. Results: A total of 992 cirrhotic patients were included in the study. Blood components were transfused to 402 (40.5%) patients. Sixty-nine (17.2%) patients were transfused to control/treat active bleeding, while 333 (82.8%) were transfused prophylactically. Packed red blood cells (65.4%) was the most commonly transfused blood component, followed by fresh frozen plasma (35.6%), among patients receiving transfusions (therapeutic & prophylactic). The mean pre-transfusion thresholds for: (i) packed red blood cell transfusion: hemoglobin less than 7 g/dL; (ii) fresh frozen plasma transfusion: international normalized ratio over 2.6; (iii) platelet concentrate transfusion: platelet count less than 40,700/µL, and; (iv) cryoprecipitate transfusion: fibrinogen less than 110 mg/dL. The average length of stay of the study population was 5 days (3-9. Conclusion: To conclude, 40.5% of our hospitalized cirrhotic patients were transfused, with the majority of the transfusions being prophylactic (82.8%). Separate guidelines are required for this patient population, as these patients have an altered hemostasis which responds differently to the transfusion of blood components.

Adherencia a las buenas prácticas de transfusión, observada en el personal de enfermería del Hospital Pediátrico Baca Ortiz / Adherence to good transfusion practices, observed in the nursing staff of the Baca Ortiz Pediatric Hospital

Contexto: el personal de enfermería cumple un rol fundamental en el proceso transfusional; el nivel de conocimientos debe ser periódicamente evaluado a fin de garantizar una buena práctica transfusional. Objetivo: evaluar el nivel de conocimientos que posee el personal de enfermería del Hospital Pediátrico Baca Ortiz (HPBO) previo y posterior a la intervención, frente a los procedimientos para solicitud, administración y monitoreo de los componentes sanguíneos. Sujetos y métodos: estudio no-experimental pre y post-evaluatorio en el personal de enfermería del Hospital Pediátrico Baca Ortiz de la ciudad de Quito. Se diseñó y aplicó una encuesta estructurada a los profesionales de enfermería del Hospital Pediátrico Baca Ortiz a través de la cual se evaluaron aspectos técnicos relativos a la práctica transfusional en lo relativo a solicitud, administración y monitoreo de los componentes sanguíneos. Resultados: la intervención se realizó en 176 profesionales, distribuidos en tres grupos de capacitación; se observó un incremento global del 14,27% en el puntaje post-intervención sobre 20 puntos, con una p<0,002, estadísticamente significativa. La pre-intervención demostró un menor porcentaje de respuestas correctas en lo referente a la toma y envío de muestras (45,2%). Al evaluar el impacto de la intervención se observó que en la etapa relativa a "recepción de hemocomponentes en el servicio hospitalario, verificación, condiciones de envío, validación del paciente y administración de la transfusión" paso del 67,7% al 79,06% de respuestas válidas con una diferencia porcentual de 11,3%. El área hospitalaria que mayor impacto tuvo fue consulta externa, desde un 22,2% de respuestas correctas en la etapa de pre-intervención y la de menor impacto fue el área quirúrgica con 14,15%. Conclusión: la pre-intervención evidenció debilidades y puntos de mejora en los conocimientos del personal de enfermería que fueron fortalecidos significativamente por la intervención realizada. La educación continua reviste utilidad y relevancia para mejorar percepciones y prácticas en medicina transfusional (AU)

Context: nurses play a fundamental role in the transfusion process; The level of knowledge should be periodically evaluated in order to guarantee good transfusion practice. Objective: to evaluate the level of knowledge held by the nursing staff of the Baca Ortiz Pediatric Hospital (HPBO) before and after the intervention, as opposed to the procedures for requesting, administering and monitoring the blood components. Subjects and methods: pre and post-evaluation non-experimental study in the nursing staff of the Baca Ortiz Pediatric Hospital in the city of Quito. A structured survey was designed and applied to the nursing professionals of the Baca Ortiz Pediatric Hospital through which technical aspects related to the transfusion practice regarding the application, administration and monitoring of the blood components were evaluated. Results: the intervention was carried out in 176 professionals, divided into three training groups; an overall increase of 14.27% was observed in the post-intervention score over 20 points, with p <0.002, statistically significant. The pre-intervention showed a lower percentage of correct answers regarding the taking and sending of samples (45.2%). When evaluating the impact of the intervention it was observed that in the stage relative to "reception of blood components in the hospital service, verification, delivery conditions, patient validation and administration of the transfusion" step from 67.7% to 79.06% of valid answers with a percentage difference of 11.3%. The hospital area that had the greatest impact was external consultation, from 22.2% of correct responses in the pre-intervention stage and the one with the least impact was the surgical area with 14.15%. Conclusion: the pre-intervention showed weaknesses and points of improvement in the knowledge of the nursing staff that were significantly strengthened by the intervention performed. Continuing education has utility and relevance to improve perceptions and practices in transfusion medicine. (AU)

Necesidades transfusionales en una unidad de terapia intensiva polivalente de adultos / Transfusion requirements in a polyvalent intensive care unit for adults

Introducción: Las transfusiones sanguíneas son una práctica frecuente en las unidades de terapia intensiva. Objetivo: Determinar las necesidades transfusionales de 382 pacientes hospitalizados en este servicio en estado crítico. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo y retrospectivo de los integrantes de esa casuística que se esperaba que no fallecieran en las primeras 24 horas de ingresados en la Unidad de Terapia Intensiva Polivalente del Hospital General Universitario "Vladímir Ilich Lenin" de Holguín, durante el 2010. Las variables clinicoepidemiológicas fueron analizadas mediante las pruebas de Ji al cuadrado y t-Student (á=0,05). Resultados: Del total de la serie, la mayoría eran hombres (51,6 %), la edad media fue de 54±21 años, los fallecimientos constituyeron 35,1 % y la estadía hospitalaria media resultó ser de 7,2±8,4 días. La transfusión con glóbulos rojos se aplicó a 23,3 % y con plasma fresco, plaquetas y crioprecipitado, a 12,6 %; 4,5 y 5,2 %, respectivamente. Se administraron 3,3±3,9 transfusiones por paciente, si bien las de glóbulos rojos y plasma fresco devinieron superiores, así como inferiores los niveles de hemoglobina pretransfusionales en los fallecidos. Entre las principales complicaciones se presentaron las infecciones hospitalarias y la insuficiencia renal aguda, con predominio en los pacientes transfundidos, en los cuales se prolongó la estadía.

Introduction: Blood transfusion is a common practice in intensive care units. Objective: To determine the transfusion need of 382 critically ill patients hospitalized in this service. Methods: A descriptive and retrospective study was carried out in these cases that were not expected to die in the first 24 hours of being admitted to "Vladímir Ilich Lenin" Polyvalent Intensive Care Unit in Holguín during 2010. Clinical epidemiological variables were analyzed by means of the chi-square and Student's t tests (alpha=0.05). Results: Of all the series the majority were men (51.6%), the mean age was 54±21 years, and deaths constituted 35.1% and mean hospital stay was found to be 7.2±8.4 days. Red cell transfusion was applied to 23.3%, and fresh plasma, platelets and cryoprecipitate to 12.6%; 4.5 and 5.2% respectively. Each patient received 3.3±3.9 transfusions, although those of red blood cells and fresh plasma became higher and lower levels of pretransfusion hemoglobin in those who died. Among the major complications were hospital infections and acute renal failure with prevalence in transfused patients, who had longer stays.

A prática transfusional e a formação dos profissionais de saúde / Transfusion practice and the instruction of healthcare professionals

A terapêutica transfusional é uma das mais importantes intervenções da medicina. Sendo a transfusão de sangue um procedimento complexo, não isento de riscos e frequente no Centro de Terapia Intensiva - CTI, torna-se essencial uma atuação profissional competente. O objetivo deste estudo é descrever a formação dos profissionais médicos e de enfermagem que atuam em CTI, relacionada à prática transfusional. A pesquisa foi realizada em um hospital universitário localizado no Triângulo Mineiro. Foi aplicado um instrumento estruturado e confeccionado para conhecer a participação dos profissionais na prática transfusional e qual a sua abordagem no processo de formação. Referem participar do processo transfusional 64 por cento dos profissionais de saúde, os quais se sentem informados sobre o assunto. No entanto, 54 por cento não participaram de atualização, 73 por cento não participaram de programas de capacitação e 89 por cento receberam informação sobre alguns aspectos da transfusão através de aulas teóricas. Considerando os resultados, torna-se necessário rever o processo de formação destes profissionais, bem como dos programas de capacitação sobre medicina transfusional oferecidos pelas instituições.

Transfusion therapy is one of the most important interventions in medicine. However, blood transfusion is a complex proceeding, which is not devoid of risk but as it is common in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), professional experience is essential. The objective of this study is to describe the level of instruction of medical and nursing professionals who work with transfusions in the Intensive Care Unit. This study was carried out in a University Hospital located in the Triângulo Mineiro region. A structured instrument was developed and applied to discover the professionals' participation in the transfusion practice and their approach to the process of instruction. About 64 percent of healthcare professionals participate in the transfusion process, all of whom felt they were informed about this subject. However, 54 percent did not participate in recycling training courses, 73 percent did not participate in training programs and 89 percent received information on some theoretical aspects of transfusion in classes. In light of the results, it is important to review the education of these professionals, as well as training programs on transfusion medicine offered by institutions.