Objectives: This study aimed to showcase how implementing a patient blood management (PBM) program effectively cuts unnecessary red blood cell (RBC) transfusions in a New York City urban community teaching hospital. Methods: Analyzing seven years from 2013 to 2019, a retrospective review of RBC transfusions was conducted. Results: Following the introduction of PBM, considerable improvements were observed annually. These included a drop in mean pretransfusion hemoglobin levels from 7.26 g/dL (2013) to 6.58 g/dL (2019), a 34% reduction in yearly RBC unit transfusions, and fewer units given to patients with pre-Hgb levels ≥ 7 g/dL (from 1210 units in 2013 to 310 units in 2019). Furthermore, this study noted a decline in two-unit RBC orders when Hgb levels were ≥ 7 g/dL from 65 orders in 2013 to merely 3 in 2019. The estimated total cost savings attributed to the six-year PBM program duration after full implementation in 2014 amounted to USD 2.1 million. Conclusions: Overall, PBM implementation significantly decreased RBC transfusions and enhanced transfusion practices. The findings emphasize that successful PBM strategies do not always necessitate extensive resources or increased budgets but instead rely on the application of intuitive methods, as evidenced by this study.

Purpose: This study evaluates the efficacy of a patient blood management (PBM) initiative in reducing unnecessary red blood cell (RBC) transfusions at a New York City community teaching hospital over eight years (2013–2020). Methods: A retrospective analysis of RBC transfusion data was performed, covering the period from 2013 to 2020. Findings: Post-PBM implementation, notable advancements were recorded annually. Mean pretransfusion hemoglobin (Hgb) levels decreased from 7.26 g/dL in 2013 to 6.68 g/dL in 2020. Annual RBC transfusion units decreased, with units transfused at Hgb ≥ 7 g/dL falling from 1210 (58.7%) in 2013 to 377 (20.0%) in 2020, a drop of 39%. Two-unit RBC orders at Hgb ≥ 7 g/dL declined from 65 in 2013 to 10 in 2020. Estimated cost savings from 2014 to 2020 totaled US Dollar (USD) 2.2 million. Conclusions: The PBM program significantly curtailed unnecessary RBC transfusions and optimized transfusion practices, demonstrating that resource-light, evidence-based strategies can yield substantial clinical and economic benefits.

The study aimed to showcase how implementing a patient blood management (PBM) program effectively cut unnecessary red blood cell (RBC) transfusions in a New York City urban community teaching hospital. Analyzing seven years from 2013 to 2019, a retrospective review of RBC transfusions was conducted. Following PBM introduction, considerable improvements were observed annually. These included a drop in mean pretransfusion hemoglobin levels from 7.26g/dL (2013) to 6.58g/dL (2019), a 34% reduction in yearly RBC unit transfusions, and fewer units given to patients with pre-Hgb levels ≥7g/dL (1210 units in 2013 to 310 units in 2019). Furthermore, the study noted a decline in two-unit RBC orders when Hgb levels were ≥7g/dL from 65 orders in 2013 to merely 3 in 2019. The estimated total cost-savings attributed to the six-year PBM program duration after full implementation in 2014 amounted to $2.1 million US dollars. Overall, PBM implementation significantly decreased RBC transfusions and enhanced transfusion practices. The findings emphasize that successful PBM strategies don't always necessitate extensive resources or increased budgets but instead rely on the application of intuitive methods, as evidenced by this study.