Home | About Us | Investor Relations | Partners | Log In
 
  Consulting | Professional Staffing | e-Learning | Reporting | BMSI Institute | Contact Us
Improve Patient Care — Lower Costs — Reduce Risk
Consulting
    Preparedness
   
Self-Assessment
Program Development
End-To-End Solutions
   
Outcomes
   
  "The most effective (and cost-efficient) method implemented to reduce blood transfusions was the education of our medical and professional staff."  
Case

 

Hemo Concepts partnered with Fairview Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio, providing consulting, professional staffing and education resources for their transition to Integrated Blood Conservation.
Background

The Center for Advanced Bloodless Medicine at Fairview Hospital was initiated in the fall of 2002 after six months of administrative preparation and an intense education of the medical staff, nursing and ancillary staff. Administration and the Bloodless Medicine and Surgery Program (BMSP) Steering Committee, with the support of our consultant Hemo Concepts, proposed various benchmarks and goals for 2003.

 
Market Share Volume Growth
After an aggressive marketing campaign in 2002, and with support from the medical staff, Fairview exceeded expectations for total patients in the BMSP. 435 patients (surgical, in-house medical or OB) were enrolled in the program throughout the year. The goal for next year has been set at 500 total patients.
 
Blood Utilization Reduction = Cost Savings

In 2003 there was a 16.5% reduction in RBC transfusion, 909 units less than in 2002. This far exceeded expectations of 10% and was attributed to the intense educational campaign that has been taking place for over 18 months. New technology and increased use of certain pharmaceutical agents also played a role in transfusion reductions. This was a savings of $181,000 in the raw cost of blood, $450,000 if other factors of transfusion are included. Next years goal will remain at a 20% reduction.

Fairview Hospital also experienced a 20% reduction in platelet transfusions, which was attributed in part to the educational campaign taking place. This was a 230 unit reduction which calculated into a savings of $100,000 for the year.

 
MD Participation
32 physicians of various specialties joined the BMSP in 2003. This is now a total of 73 participating physicians. As more physicians join we expect to see additional reductions in blood utilization and increases in the patient enrollment for the BMSP. The goal for 2004 is to have 20 new physicians become participants in the BMSP.

What Medical Professionals Say

"Hemo Concepts helped us set our goal... a 16% reduction [in red blood cell utilization] in the first year alone.

The most effective (and cost-efficient) method implemented to reduce blood transfusions was the education of our Medical and professional staff. Fairview Hospital’s Center for Advanced Bloodless Medicine and Surgery accomplished in 1 year (transfusion reduction, MD participation, new technology, national conference, beginning stages of research) what most programs need 3-5 years to do."

Joseph Thomas R.N., BSN
Center for Advanced Bloodless Medicine
Fairview Hospital
Cleveland, OH