Results

DOCUMENTED RESULTS IN A TEACHING HOSPITAL

The following illustrations demonstrate the impact of Columbia Healthcare Analytics' management strategy in a county teaching hospital operating a trauma center. The results were benchmarked against three similar non-teaching hospitals located in the same community but not operating a trauma service.

A Sizeable Reduction in PRBC Transfusions

In this study, Columbia Healthcare Analytics' strategy reduced Packed Red Blood Cell transfusions 31% when compared to community use; this preserved 1,146 units for the community and saved $223,470 in blood supply costs.

Consumption of packed red blood cell units in the other community hospitals increased 21% from 4,125 units of PRBC during 2001 to 5,004 units of PRBC during 2005; this represented a $171,405 increase in packed red blood cell supply cost.

A Dramatic Drop in Plasma Transfusions

Our strategy further reduced fresh frozen plasma transfusions 45%, compared to other community hospital use, preserving 747 units for the community and saving $41,085 in blood supply costs.

Consumption of fresh frozen plasma units in other community hospitals increased 79% — from 938 units during 2001 to 1,678 units during 2005. This represented a $40,700 increase in fresh frozen plasma supply cost.

These savings do not include costs associated with laboratory blood bank procedures, nursing administration procedures, or costs associated with the management of transfusion reactions or subsequent transfusion-related illnesses. They represent only donor-center supply costs for packed red blood cell and fresh frozen plasma units.