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Description

Over the last 2 years, the Bone and Joint Center has focused on blood utilization for total knee and total hip arthroplasty. With the use of a blood transfusion protocol, we significantly reduced blood transfusion rates and standardized the approach to care. As an expansion of this work, other ideas to further decrease blood utilization were considered. The purpose of the data collection of preoperative and postoperative Hemoglobin (HGB) levels was to evaluate the effect of Tranexamic Acid (TXA) on the average change in Hgb levels compared to Hgb levels of patients that did not receive the medication. In addition, a review of the consistency of practice for Hgb draws and review of the quality of patient care related to the number of lab draws, cost to the patient, and blood re-infusion per drain were recognized as other opportunities. The use of a post-operative drain has been shown to be associated with an additional cost to the patient and hospital, increased length of stay, possible risk of infection, potential increase in blood loss and increase in the need for a blood transfusion.

Publication Date

2014

Keywords

arthroplasty, blood transfusion, evidence-based practice

Disciplines

Other Nursing

Impact of Tranexamic Acid (TXA) on Hemoglobin Levels in Elective Total Knee Arthroplasty Patients

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