Continuous Hemoglobin Measurement Procedure for More Efficient Blood Transfusion Management and Associated Savings

Blood transfusions are costly and increase morbidity and mortality [1–3]. Transfusion decisions are guided by the value of hemoglobin in patients. The worldwide current practice of obtaining this data is based in intermittent, invasive measurements of hemoglobin that are sent to the laboratory. This procedure may contribute to unnecessary and inappropriate blood transfusions that account for 10% [4] of the total amount of transfusions, due to the uncertainty given by the delay in receiving the data back from the lab and the difficulty associated in the detection of internal bleeding. The use of a new procedure to obtain hemoglobin value, based in real-time monitoring, may allow physicians to initiate timely blood transfusions and avoid giving unnecessary ones. A literature search will be done to demonstrate a reduction in transfusions with this new monitoring method and the associated savings in costs.