Implementation of a patient blood management programme in obstetrics: let's do it!

Abstract

Preview
Patient Blood Management (PBM) consists in the timely application of evidence-based medical and surgical procedures aimed at maintaining haemoglobin concentration, optimising haemostasis, and minimising blood loss to improve patients' outcomes1-3. According to this definition, the approach to PBM is multidisciplinary and addressed to each individual in whom significant blood losses are expected and where transfusion of blood products is part of the established treatment4. The PBM patient-centred model is based on three pillars: 1) optimising the endogenous erythropoiesis; 2) minimising bleeding and blood loss; and 3) optimising the physiological reserve of anaemia. It typically includes both transfusional and non-transfusional measures5. [… ]