Massive Transfusion Protocol Adherence: Relationship to Trauma Patient Outcomes.

BACKGROUND

Ongoing evaluation of massive transfusion protocol adherence is critical to ensure better trauma patient outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

This quality improvement initiative aimed to determine provider adherence to a recently revised massive transfusion protocol and its relationship to clinical outcomes among trauma patients requiring massive transfusion.

METHODS

A retrospective, descriptive, correlational design was used to determine the association between provider adherence to a recently revised massive transfusion protocol and clinical outcomes in trauma patients with hemorrhage treated at a Level I trauma center from November 2018 to October 2020. Patient characteristics, provider massive transfusion protocol adherence, and patient outcomes were assessed. Patient characteristics and massive transfusion protocol adherence associations with 24-hr survival and survival to discharge were determined using bivariate statistical methods.

RESULTS

A total of 95 trauma patients with massive transfusion protocol activation were evaluated. Of the 95, 71 (75%) survived the initial 24 hr following massive transfusion protocol activation and 65 (68%) survived to discharge. Based on protocol applicable items, the median massive transfusion protocol overall adherence rate per patient was 75% (IQR = 57.1-85.7) for the 65 survivors and 25% (IQR = 12.5-50.0) for the 21 nonsurvivors to discharge whose death occurred at least 1 hr after massive transfusion protocol activation (p < .001).

CONCLUSION

Findings indicate the importance of ongoing evaluations of adherence to massive transfusion protocols in hospital trauma settings to target areas for improvement.