Patient Blood Management initiatives on a global level: the results of an International Society of Blood Transfusion Survey

Background and Objectives Patient Blood Management (PBM) optimises the care of patients in need of transfusion using the best available evidence. ISBT's Clinical Transfusion Working Party conducted an international survey to benchmark PBM activities. Material and Methods Members of the working party developed a survey on hospital-based PBM activities that was electronically sent to all ISBT members who were encouraged to complete the survey if they were actively involved in PBM. Results Of the 277 ISBT members who responded to the survey, 194 were actively involved in PBM and completed the survey. The majority came from Europe and the Western Pacific (63·9%) and mostly from either university (43·8%) or large general hospitals (20·1%). Most (63·9%) respondents came from high-income countries. 61·9% of respondents indicated that audits were performed and their hospitals participated in accreditation programs, 75·3% performed informed consent before transfusion. In 78·4%, a transfusion committee was present. In 84%, institution-wide transfusion guidelines were implemented and 63·4% offered outpatient preoperative risk screening. In 38·1%, a protocol to diagnose preoperative anaemia was used, 51% collected autologous blood transfusions, and in 50%, tranexamic acid was used in the perioperative setting. Overall, the highest percentages were found in university and large general hospitals and in high-income countries. Conclusion PBM initiatives have been implemented to different degrees at hospitals around the world.