A descriptive analysis of the Canadian prehospital and transport transfusion (CAN-PATT) network
A descriptive analysis of the Canadian prehospital and transport transfusion (CAN-PATT) network
Blog Article
Objective: Out-of-hospital blood transfusion (OHBT) is becoming increasingly common across the prehospital environment, yet there is significant variability in OHBT practices.The Canadian Prehospital and Transport Transfusion (CAN-PATT) network was established to collaborate, standardize, and evaluate the effectiveness of out-of-hospital blood transfusion (OHBT) across Canada.The objectives of this study are to describe the setting and organizational characteristics of CAN-PATT member organizations and to provide a cross-sectional examination of the current OHBT practices of CAN-PATT organizations.Methods: This was a cross-sectional examination of all six critical care transport organizations that are involved in CAN-PATT network.Surveys were sent to identified leads from each organization.
The survey focused on three main areas Birthing Kits of interest: 1) critical care transport organizational service and coverage, 2) provider, and crew configurations, and 3) OHBT transfusion practices.Results: All six surveys were completed and returned.There are a total of 30 critical care transport bases (19 rotor-wing, 20 fixed-wing and 6 land) across Canada and 11 bases have a blood-on-board program.Crew configurations very between organizations as either dual paramedic or paramedic/nurse teams.Median transport times range from 30 to 46 minutes for rotor-wing assets and 64 to 90 minutes for fixed-wing assets.
Half of the CAN-PATT organizations started their out-of-hospital blood transfusion programs within the last three years.Most organizations carry at least two units of O-negative, K-negative red blood cells and some organizations also carry group A thawed plasma, fibrinogen concentrate and/or prothrombin complex concentrate.All organizations advocate for early administration of tranexamic acid for injured patients suspected of bleeding.All organizations return un-transfused blood components to their local transfusion medicine laboratory within a predefined timeframe to reduce wastage.Conclusions: massager-top Variations in OHBT practices were identified and we have suggested considerations for standardization of transfusion practices and patient care as it relates to OHBT.
This standardization will also enable a robust means of data collection to study and optimize outcomes of patients receiving OHBT.A fulsome description of the participating organizations within CAN-PATT should enhance interpretation of future OHBT studies that will be conducted by this network.