Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center (New Hanover) reviewed blood utilization care standards to evaluate their effectiveness in improving patient outcomes and decreasing clinical variation. By leveraging data from the Health Catalyst® data platform, New Hanover was able to identify, quantify, and evaluate opportunities for improvement and the effectiveness of interventions, which resulted in decreased blood transfusions, improved care quality, and lowered costs.
Blood transfusions save lives but are a costly, limited resource. As part of its efforts to improve patient outcomes and decrease clinical variation, Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center (New Hanover) reviewed blood utilization care standards to evaluate their effectiveness.
New Hanover interdisciplinary performance excellence blood utilization team reviewed the literature and best practices, endorsing and implementing the American Association of Blood Banks recommendations as the organization’s standard of care for appropriate blood transfusions. The organization leveraged data from the Health Catalyst® data platform to identify, quantify, and evaluate opportunities for improvement and the effectiveness of interventions.
New Hanover implemented standard blood product administration order sets that include a single unit of packed red blood cells at a time, with restrictions based on hemoglobin thresholds for specific clinical conditions. The interdisciplinary team reviews performance data, identifies when care deviates from the expected care standard, and provides education and feedback to clinicians as needed to improve adherence and care quality.
In just one year, New Hanover’s data-informed improvement efforts have resulted in improved care quality, decreased blood transfusions, reduced the risk of adverse events, and lowered costs
"Our data-informed blood utilization care standards have improved patient outcomes and reduced clinical variation, saving nearly $700K."
Claire Corbett, MBA, Director, Performance Excellence, Novant Health
