CHALLENGE

The blood bank at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) Hospital was determined to overcome lingering inefficiencies and delivery time delays resulting from its physical distance from high-volume departments. The hospital also wanted to decrease waste and improve crossmatch-to-transfusion (C/T) ratios.

SOLUTION

OHSU deployed Mediware’s BloodSafe® suite of products with smart integration to HCLL™ Transfusion to extend its blood bank access to the areas of greatest need. The hospital installed a remote storage refrigerator in the Cardiac Surgery unit as well as a smaller refrigerator in its Trauma Surgery area. These refrigerators combined with BloodSafe software and smart integration to the blood bank’s transfusion system now enable the hospital to make blood products available at the point of use while maintaining control inside the blood bank.

RESULTS

• Average time to deliver blood with a completed type and screen decreased from 20 minutes to 60 seconds for products delivered through BloodSafe.
• C/T ratio for the main operating room fell from 3.2 to 1.2, translating to an annualized reduction of over $600,000 in crossmatch charges and associated workload to support surgical services at OHSU.
• Operating Room blood waste decreased 50% in just five months.
• Daily inventory requirements at the point of use reduced by 25%.

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