Massive Hemorrhage Protocol Implementation at Small Hospitals: Challenges, Possible Solutions, and Opportunities

Talal Mahdi, MD, FRCPC? Hematopathologist, Eastern Ontario Regional Laboratory Association, The Ottawa Hospital?

Massive hemorrhage protocols (MHPs) are vital tools designed to expedite the provision of blood components in emergent situations based on best practices for the management of massively bleeding patients. These best practices include early identification of the massively bleeding patient, rapid provision of blood components and products, and a coordinated human resource response aimed at rapid identification of and control of bleeding.?

While all hospitals that contain emergency departments, operating rooms, and/or obstetrical services should have MHPs, there are certainly challenges that may come with their implementation. These can include engaging and educating clinical partners, staffing limitations, limited inventories of blood components and products, limited laboratory test variety, and the ability, or rather, the inability to offer definitive hemorrhage control. However, amidst these obstacles lie potential solutions to optimize MHP implementation and efficacy, and ultimately, improve patient care.?? Potentially the most significant obstacle to effective MHP implementation at small hospitals is the engagement and education of clinical colleagues. It is crucial that?Read the full article here.