Operationalizing the Deployment of Low-Titer O-Positive Whole Blood Within a Regional Trauma System.

Introduction: The implementation of a low-titer O+ whole blood (LTOWB) resuscitation algorithm, particularly in the prehospital environment, has several inherent challenges, including cost, limited and inconsistent supply, and the logistics of cold-chain management. The Southwest Texas Regional Advi...

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Published in:Military Medicine Vol. 186; pp. 391 - 400
Main Authors: Schaefer, Randall, Tasia Long, Wampler, David, Summers, Rena, Epley, Eric, Waltman, Elizabeth, Eastridge, Brian, Jenkins, Donald, Long, Tasia
Format: pictorial research tables/charts Journal Article
Published: Oxford University Press / USA 2021 Supplement
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
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      pub: Oxford University Press / USA
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        10.1093/milmed/usaa283
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        atl: Operationalizing the Deployment of Low-Titer O-Positive Whole Blood Within a Regional Trauma System.
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        au:
          Schaefer, Randall
          Tasia Long
          Wampler, David
          Summers, Rena
          Epley, Eric
          Waltman, Elizabeth
          Eastridge, Brian
          Jenkins, Donald
          Long, Tasia
        affil: Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council (STRAC), San Antonio, TX 78227, USA.
      sug:
        subj:
          Blood Transfusion
          Emergency Medical Services
          Human
          Trauma Centers
          Texas
          Resuscitation
          Comparative Studies
          Multicenter Studies
          Evaluation Research
          Validation Studies
      ab: Introduction: The implementation of a low-titer O+ whole blood (LTOWB) resuscitation algorithm, particularly in the prehospital environment, has several inherent challenges, including cost, limited and inconsistent supply, and the logistics of cold-chain management. The Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council has implemented the nation's first multidisciplinary, multi-institutional regional LTOWB program. This research effort was to illustrate the successful deployment of LTOWB within a regional trauma system.Materials and Methods: A deliberate systems approach to the deployment of LTOWB was used. Tenets of this program included the active management of blood donor sources and blood supply levels to minimize wastage as a result of expiration, maximize product utilization, the use of prehospital transfusion triggers, and efforts to decrease program costs prehospital agencies. A novel LTOWB rotation system was established using the concept of a "rotation site" and "rotation center." Standardized transfusion criteria, a regional approved equipment list, a regional Prehospital Blood Product Transfusion Record, and a robust multilevel communication plan serves as the framework for the program. The San Antonio Whole Blood Consortium was developed to create a consensus driven forum to manage and guide the program.Results: From January 2018 to October 2019, LTOWB has been placed at 18 helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) bases, 12 ground emergency medical service (EMS) agencies, 1 level I trauma center, and 1 level IV trauma center. A total of 450 patients have received a prehospital LTOWB transfusion. Program wide, the wastage rate of LTOWB due to expiration is between 1% and 2%. No complications related to prehospital LTOWB administration have been identified.Discussion: This work demonstrates a novel model for the development of a trauma system LTOWB program. The program's implementation augments remote damage control resuscitation strategies and requires the integration and collaboration of a multidisciplinary stakeholder team to optimize efficiency, performance, and safety of the program.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        pictorial
        research
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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