The Impact of Liquid Plasma in Massive and Emergency Blood Transfusion

Date of Award

Fall 2023

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Healthcare Administration (DHA)

Committee Chair

Alex Akulli

Committee Member

Jesse Florang

Committee Member

Gail Frankle

Abstract

Massive bleeding remains one of the leading potentially preventable causes of death in the United States, accounting for more than 50% of mortality rates (Marietta, Marco et al., 2011). Massive transfusion protocol (MTP) is a rapid transfusion of a large amount of blood and blood products (more than ten units of red blood cells in twenty-four hours, or four units of red blood cells in an hour, or any four blood components in 30 minutes) in a short period of time (Thurn et al., 2019). The blood products' ratios included in the massive transfusion protocol are distinct and composed of red blood cells, fresh frozen plasma, and platelets. Developing and establishing electronic records for massive transfusion protocols may improve patient outcomes (Broxton et al., 2017). Using liquid plasma during a massive transfusion protocol may improve patient survival rate by decreasing the blood product delivery time to the patient's bedside and reducing healthcare costs by lowering blood product waste (Beckermann et al., 2022). In this quantitative study, the researcher analyzed retrospective medical records from a Level One Medical Trauma Center in the Southwest United States to answer the research question. Data regarding using liquid plasma in massive blood transfusion outcomes were collected from the hospital records for pre- and post-liquid plasma usage implementation. The study investigated the following research question: For patients who require emergency and massive transfusion, what is the impact of using liquid plasma compared to fresh frozen plasma on blood product wastage and plasma-saving cost one year before and after using liquid plasma?

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