Patient blood management (PBM) is the timely application of evidence-based medical and surgical concepts designed to optimize hemoglobin concentration, optimize hemostasis, and minimize blood loss in an effort to improve patient outcome.

Mission

The mission of our program is to advance the science of patient blood management through research, education, collaboration, and advocacy.

Goals

• PBM will be a standard of care at UF Health.
• PMB implementation by healthcare professionals will lead to genuine changes in clinical practice and improvements in patient outcomes.
• UF Health will be recognized for advancing the science of PBM through its dedication to research, education, collaboration, and advocacy at national and international forums.

Patient Blood Management

Improved Patient Outcomes

Improved patient outcomes are achieved by managing anemia, optimizing coagulation, using an interdisciplinary and multimodal approach using the latest evidence based PBM practice guidelines, and involving patients in making informed choices about transfusion practice and alternatives to transfusion.

Initiatives

Anemia Pre-Op Anesthesia Clinic

Goals

• To identify and optimize patients with anemia prior to planned surgery
• To develop clear guidelines for the management of anemia prior to elective surgery
• To reduce blood use in adult elective surgery

Other Initiatives of the PBM Program

Education

• “Gator Way” lecture series – Educational initiative for the implementation of PBM best practice in cardiac surgery
  • “Gator Way” guidelines and session info can be found on our bridge. (Only department members can access our bridge site)  
  • Coagulation algorithm implementation
  • Coagulation lab diagnostic testing evaluations
• Maintain and distribute the latest evidence-based references for clinicians to support research or design PBM activities

Quality Projects

• Project Title: Patient Blood Management in Craniosynostosis Surgery at UF Health
• Project Title: Clinical Efficacy and Coagulation Product Utilization: Evaluating the Hemosonics Quantra and TEG Guidance in Cardiovascular Surgery Patients at UF Health
• Project Title: “Review and Evaluation of Implementation of Urgent Transfusion Protocol for Emergent Treatment of Hemorrhagic Shock”
• Interventions to prevent iatrogenic anemia in ICU patients

Leadership

• PBM and Transfusion Safety Committee Leadership
• Provides advice on strategies and initiatives that influence PBM approaches to projects across the healthcare institution informed by experience and expertise
• Developing core policies for implementation and adoption of nationally approved PBM standards
• Leading UF Health in the adoption of PBM best practices that are high-quality; lead to better patient outcomes; are safer for patients, providers, and institutions that deliver care; and emphasize patient-focused decision making

Research

• Maintains FDA IND Protocol for Expanded Access Use of HBOC-201 for Life Threatening Anemia
• Hemoclear ™ Millipore Filtration of Chest Tube Drainage in Cardiac Surgery: A Benchtop Proof of Concept to Cleanse Captured Postoperative Chest Tube Drainage

Referral Center

UF Health has gained recognition as a center for Bloodless Surgical Care due to its growing list of clinical champions.

Hemopure

UF Health is one of a small number of institutions in the United States that has access to Hemopure, an artificial blood substitute made from cow blood. Hemopure is a hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier that acts as a bridge while the body regenerates its own blood. The drug provides options for people with life-threatening anemia who have no other alternatives (e.g., patients who have been transfused so many times that their body produces antibodies that attack any new blood) or who decline transfusions for religious reasons. Hemopure is available only under investigational status through the FDA expanded access program to qualifying patients in specific circumstances. Patients must be referred by a physician to UF Health.