Assessing transfusion practice in elective surgical patients: a baseline audit

Background Externally generated hospital benchmarking data indicated that the blood transfusion rate within elective surgical orthopaedic and gastrointestinal patients at a metropolitan, tertiary healthcare facility was higher than comparable Australian hospitals. An investigation of transfusion practices was undertaken with the aim of understanding the reasons contributing to this higher incidence. Study Methods A chart audit was undertaken of every major, elective, surgical orthopaedic and gastrointestinal patient who received a blood transfusion between July and December 2017. The audit aimed to ascertain whether patients were screened and treated for preoperative anaemia and measure the…