Electronic positive patient identification, computer provider order entry, and electronic remote blood issue implemented in operating rooms improve the safety and efficiency of blood transfusions.

INTRODUCTION: Blood transfusions are routinely performed in operation rooms. The process chain of performing ABO type, antibody screen, crossmatch, blood transport, and patient verification is complex. A multidisciplinary task force convened to improve the process of blood ordering and utilization identified 3 issues: (1) blood orders performed on paper included transcription errors; (2) guidelines for blood ordering practices were lacking, with inappropriate and arbitrary requests; and (3) there were long intervals between ordering and receiving blood in the operating room because of its distance from the blood bank.

METHODS: The task force implemented (1) an electronic positive patient identification (ePPID) system, (2) a standardized computer provider order entry (CPOE) for ordering blood for surgical patients, and (3) an electronic remote blood issuing (ERBI) system using refrigerators located within the operating suite.

RESULTS: Following ePPID implementation, transfusion documentation compliance rates improved from 71% to 98% and detected 2 patient safety issues. Implementation of CPOE with a maximum surgical blood order schedule and ERBI led to a substantial decline in blood product dispensed from coolers and reduced returns of unused red blood cells (from 30% to 15%) and plasma units (from 45% to 30%) to the blood bank over 2 years.

DISCUSSION: Electronic PPID, CPOE, and ERBI improved patient safety, workflow, and efficiency during blood transfusions.