Costs and consequences of over-investigation of minor transfusion reactions

Cliford T. Joel,Maria Burgess,Philip Crispin

INTERNAL MEDICINE JOURNAL(2024)

Cited 0|Views3
No score
Abstract
BackgroundAdverse transfusion events create a direct cost burden on the healthcare system through increased morbidity, mortality, extra investigations for diagnosis, patient treatment and increased use of hospital resources. Understanding the costs and impact minor transfusion reactions have on the healthcare system presents an opportunity for potential cost savings and improved clinical practice. AimsTo determine the cost associated with investigating minor transfusion reactions, to identify opportunities to improve the management of blood transfusion reactions and potential cost savings through the application of current national guidelines. MethodsA retrospective review of all suspected transfusion reactions reported to the laboratory over a 6-year period was performed. Reports were assessed for appropriateness of clinical management and associated investigations. Cost of inappropriate investigations and associated blood product discard was calculated using current national tariffs. ResultsOf the 274 reports, febrile non-haemolytic transfusion reactions were the most common reactions, with 96 (35%) cases. One hundred forty-eight patients were unnecessarily investigated for suspected transfusion reactions totalling AU$ 32 427.00. The initial total value of partially discarded blood products was AU$ 55 656.00. ConclusionThe study demonstrated that unnecessary investigation of minor transfusion reactions adds a significant financial burden to the healthcare system.
More
Translated text
Key words
febrile non-haemolytic transfusion reactions,costs,transfusion reaction investigation,suspected transfusion reaction
AI Read Science
Must-Reading Tree
Example
Generate MRT to find the research sequence of this paper
Chat Paper
Summary is being generated by the instructions you defined