Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA.
Medical Services, Operations Excellence, Stanford Blood Center, Stanford Health Care, Palo Alto, California, USA.
Transfusion. 2021 Sep;61(9):2611-2620. doi: 10.1111/trf.16561. Epub 2021 Jul 19.
A survey of US hospitals was conducted to increase our understanding of the current state of platelet (PLT) practice and supply. The survey captures information on transfusion practice and inventory management, including stock levels, outdate rates, ability to return or transfer PLTs, and low dose PLTs. Notably, the survey also elucidates PLT availability challenges and impact to patient care.
A 27 question online survey was distributed directly to over 995 US hospitals and indirectly through blood centers to many more between September 27 and October 25, 2019. Descriptive statistics were used for respondent characteristics. Bivariate analysis was performed and correlation coefficients, chi square tests, and p values determined statistical significance of relationships between variables.
Four hundred and eighty-one hospitals completed the survey of which 21.6%, 53.2%, and 25.2% were characterized as small, medium, and large hospitals, respectively. Some key observations from this survey include: (1) there is an opportunity for greater adherence to evidence-based guidelines; (2) higher outdate rates occur in hospitals stocking less than five PLTs and the ability to return or transfer PLTs lowers outdates; (3) use of low dose apheresis PLTs varies; and (4) decreased PLT availability is commonly reported, especially in hospitals with high usage, and can lead to delays in transfusions or surgeries.
This survey represents a comprehensive national assessment of inventory management practices and PLT availability challenges in US hospitals. Findings from this survey can be used to guide further research, help shape future guidance for industry, and assist with policy decisions.
对美国医院进行了一项调查，以增进我们对当前血小板（PLT）实践和供应情况的了解。该调查涵盖了输血实践和库存管理信息，包括库存水平、过期率、PLT 返还或转移能力以及低剂量 PLT。值得注意的是，该调查还阐明了 PLT 供应不足的挑战及其对患者护理的影响。
2019 年 9 月 27 日至 10 月 25 日期间，通过直接向 995 多家美国医院和间接通过血液中心向更多医院分发了一份包含 27 个问题的在线调查。使用描述性统计方法对受访者特征进行分析。进行了双变量分析，并确定了变量之间关系的相关系数、卡方检验和 p 值，以确定其统计学意义。
有 481 家医院完成了调查，其中 21.6%、53.2%和 25.2%的医院分别被归类为小、中、大医院。从这项调查中可以看出一些关键的观察结果：（1）在遵守循证指南方面还有更大的空间；（2）库存少于 5 个 PLT 的医院过期率更高，而 PLT 返还或转移能力可降低过期率；（3）低剂量单采 PLT 的使用情况存在差异；（4）PLT 供应减少的情况普遍存在，尤其是在使用量较高的医院，这可能导致输血或手术延迟。
这项调查代表了对美国医院库存管理实践和 PLT 供应挑战的全面国家评估。本调查结果可用于指导进一步的研究，为行业未来的指导提供帮助，并协助政策决策。
