Not only in trauma patients: hospital-wide implementation of a massive transfusion protocol.

OBJECTIVES

To review outcomes of massive transfusion protocol (MTP) activation and determine the impact of MTP implementation on blood bank use.

BACKGROUND

MTP has been established to rapidly provide plasma and packed red blood cells in ratios approaching 1 : 1. Due to availability, MTP has been utilised in non-traumatic haemorrhage despite evidence of benefit in this population. Our hospital-wide implementation of MTP was reviewed for propriety, outcomes and effect on blood bank resources.

METHODS

Retrospective cohort study of patients receiving transfusion after MTP activation from October 2009 to 2011. Underlying medical conditions and baseline medication use were determined. In-hospital and 24-h mortality were compared with evaluation for confounding by Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) score and duration of MTP activation. Blood product use before and after MTP implementation was reviewed.

RESULTS

MTP activation occurred in 62 trauma and 63 non-trauma patients. Non-trauma patients were older, had more underlying medical conditions and higher APACHE scores compared with trauma patients; 24-h mortality was higher in trauma compared with non-trauma patients (27·4 vs 11·1%, P = 0·02). There was no significant difference of in-hospital mortality. Transfusion ratio did not differ between trauma and non-trauma patients and was not associated with mortality even when MTP activation duration and APACHE score were considered. Hospital-wide blood product use did not change with MTP implementation.

CONCLUSIONS

MTP may be successfully used in trauma and non-trauma settings without significantly impacting overall blood product utilisation. Inclusion of non-trauma patients into prospective studies of resuscitation with blood products is warranted to ensure benefit in these patients.