Analysis of Turnaround Time for Intraoperative Red Blood Cell Issues: A Single-Center Study

BACKGROUND: When unpredicted surgical blood loss occurs, it is essential that blood arrive from the blood bank in a timely manner. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the turnaround time (TAT) for red blood cells (RBCs) from the blood bank to the operating suite. Cases with delayed TATs were further analyzed to determine potential causes for the delays. METHODS: During a 6-month period, intraoperative RBC requests were included among the blood component request lists at a single tertiary care hospital. RESULTS: A total of 387 RBC-product requests were received from the operating room, of which 220 (56.8%) cases were intraoperative requests. The overall mean (SD) TAT was 19.4 (9.8) minutes. Mean (SD) preparation-to-issuance time (14.9 [7.8] minutes) contributed more to the overall TAT than did mean (SD) request-to-preparation time (4.5 [7.4] minutes). The 31 cases (14.1%) exceeded the internally mandated TAT threshold (> 30 minutes). Prolonged compatibility testing and delayed courier arrival contributed to TAT delay. CONCLUSIONS: TAT standards for issuing RBCs from the blood bank to the operating suite should be established and carefully monitored for quality improvement of transfusion services.