Patient Blood Management

User Guide

The toolkit is composed of three sections:

  • Resources for hospitals and health systems including a readiness assessment tool – the starting point in developing a successful Patient Blood Management (PBM) model. The readiness assessment tool should be shared with senior management, senior leaders for quality, blood management professionals, transfusion committees, purchasing directors, clinic managers, nurse managers, key physician leaders, risk managers and human resources directors. Also included in this section are resources supporting the benefits of appropriate use of PBM, and frequently asked questions.
  • For clinicians, resources include a webinar, clinical evidence supporting appropriate use, implementation instructions, and an iPhone application.
  • Tools for patients include a guide on how patients can best engage in their care.

The AABB Readiness Assessment Tool

This online self-assessment tool will assist hospitals in pinpointing their readiness for adopting a formal PBM program. Completing the self-assessment will result in a set of recommendations about next steps for PBM program implementation and resources. To begin the self-assessment, click here »

Hospital and Health System Resources

National Blood Collection and Utilization Survey (NBCUS) Patient Blood Management Chapter
Conducted by AABB, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ NBCUS report offers a comprehensive analysis of the collection and utilization of blood, blood products and cellular therapies in the United States. For the first time, in this most recent survey, a chapter was devoted to hospital PBM practices. To download, click here »

PBM Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Developed by AABB, this document includes the definition of PBM and requirements for an impactful and sustainable hospital-based program. To download, click here »

AABB PBM Infographic
This infographic highlights blood usage statistics and overuse as well as some results in patient safety improvements and cost savings from the implementation of a PBM program. To download, click here »

Building a Better Patient Blood Management Program
This AABB white paper provides health care professionals tools to overcome common hurdles associated with starting a PBM program. To access, click here »

Clinician Resources

PBM Webinar
This webinar includes data and compelling evidence for the use of PBM to improve care and lower costs. The webinar features Mark H. Ereth, M.D., Emeritus Professor of Anesthesiology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, and PBM consultant. For more information or to view the recording, click here »

AABB’s “Getting Started in Patient Blood Management”
This primer thoroughly discusses five major concepts in PBM: 1) limiting blood loss through phlebotomy for testing, 2) optimizing patient hemoglobin levels, 3) intraoperative blood recovery techniques, 4) minimizing perioperative blood loss, and 5) making evidence-based hemotherapy decisions. Also included are practical suggestions for taking initial positive steps toward program implementation, sample forms and reports, as well as helpful print and online resources. To download, click here »

AABB’s Citations in Patient Blood Management
Approximately 1800 reference citations on PBM have been assembled by topic and subtopic in this convenient, useful resource. Compiled by Dr. James P. AuBuchon, MD, FCAP, FRCP(Edin), this compendium includes English articles listed in PubMed from January, 2010 through June, 2014. To download, click here »

“Red Blood Cell Transfusion: A Clinical Practice Guideline from the AABB”
This guideline; which was published in July 2012 in the Annals of Internal Medicine; provides clinical recommendations about hemoglobin concentration thresholds and other clinical variables that trigger red blood cell transfusions in hemodynamically stable adults and children. To download, click here »

iPhone App
The AABB iPhone app includes three valuable PBM resources:

  • The Red Blood Cell Transfusion Data Card summarizes clinical practice guidelines for the transfusion of red blood cells to adults and pediatric patients.
  • The Blood Transfusion Therapy Data Card details the management of acute transfusion reactions.
  • The Circular of Information for the Use of Human Blood and Blood Components provides an extensive review of licensed and some unlicensed blood and blood components, their indications for use, special precautions, instructions for administration, and adverse effects of transfusion.

For more information, click here »

Patient Resources

PBM Patient Handout
This handout, developed by AABB, is provided as a resource to patients who may need transfusion and for the health care professionals treating them. It answers common questions about transfusion and PBM. To download, click here »