Humans cannot perform tasks correctly each time. Unaided, 98
percent correct performance is excellent. Nevertheless, when the
consequences of error are severe, multiple system redesign steps
may be needed to reduce the rate to an acceptable level.
Achieving zero error may be impossible. Transfusion medicine
provides a good example of the roadblocks to perfection.
Improve patient outcomes, conserve health care resources and
reduce unnecessary health care cost. These are key goals of every
hospital administrator. “Patient blood management” is a highly
effective strategy to achieve these goals. Appropriate patient
blood management is a responsibility that requires strong
administrative leadership and commitment.
In an era of bloodless medicine and bloodless surgery, hospitals
are using increasing amounts of blood, or certainly not using
less blood. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) tracks an ever
growing list of clinical metrics from open heart surgery
patients. The STS data set reveals that patients who undergo
relatively bloodless open heart procedures have better outcomes
and lower mortality rates.
