Vox sanguinis
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The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by a novel coronavirus, has already affected over 99 062 people in 53 African countries and killed 3082. The pandemic threatens blood supply but we do not yet know its impact on blood donations or on the perceptions and expectations of donors. ⋯ Most of the donors know COVID-19, its transmission routes and manifestations. In the absence of barrier measures, they perceive blood donation as a threat to their health. Distribution of masks and hydroalcoholic solution might motivate more donors and improve the blood supply.
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Comparative Study Observational Study
Civilian prehospital transfusion - experiences from a French region.
Haemorrhagic shock is a leading cause of avoidable mortality in prehospital care. For several years, our centre has followed a procedure of transfusing two units of packed red blood cells outside the hospital. Our study's aim was twofold: describe the patient characteristics of those receiving prehospital blood transfusions and analyse risk factors for the 7-day mortality rate. ⋯ Current guidelines recommend early transfusion in patients with haemorrhagic shock. Prehospital blood transfusions are safe. Coagulation disorders and acidosis remain a cause of premature death in patients with prehospital transfusions.
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A worldwide pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has affected millions of people. A 'closed-off management' protocol has been launched nationwide in China to cope with this major public health emergency. However, these procedures may cause a crisis for blood donation and blood supply. In this study, we assessed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on blood donation and supply in Zhejiang province, which could provide reference and insight for developing countermeasures in other countries. ⋯ The secondary consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic are blood shortages caused by the unavailability of blood donors, and this is likely to be replicated in many countries with high burdens of COVID-19. Practical actions to broaden sources and reduce use for the global crisis must be taken proactively.
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Multicenter Study
Programmes for the management of preoperative anaemia: audit in ten European hospitals within the PaBloE (Patient Blood Management in Europe) Working Group.
Preoperative anaemia is an independent risk factor for a higher morbidity and mortality, a longer hospitalization and increased perioperative transfusion rates. Managing preoperative anaemia is the first of three pillars of Patient Blood Management (PBM), a multidisciplinary concept to improve patient safety. While various studies provide medical information on (successful) anaemia treatment pathways, knowledge of organizational details of diagnosis and management of preoperative anaemia across Europe is scarce. ⋯ Implementation and approaches of preoperative anaemia management vary across Europe with a primary focus on treating iron deficiency anaemia. Findings of this survey motivated the hospitals involved to critically evaluate their practice and may also help other hospitals interested in PBM to develop action plans for diagnosis and management of preoperative anaemia.
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Observational Study
Hypocalcaemia and traumatic coagulopathy: an observational analysis.
Haemorrhage-associated calcium loss may lead to disruption of platelet function, intrinsic and extrinsic pathway-mediated haemostasis and cardiac contractility. Among shocked major trauma patients, we aimed to investigate the association between admission hypocalcaemia and adverse outcomes. ⋯ Hypocalcaemia was a common finding in shocked trauma patients and was independently associated with acute traumatic coagulopathy. The early, protocolized administration of calcium to trauma patients in haemorrhagic shock warrants further assessment in randomized controlled trials.