Effectiveness of Small Phlebotomy Tubes in Reducing Blood Transfusions in Adult Medical Intensive Care Unit and Intermediate Care Unit Patients With Anemia: A Randomized Controlled Trial
The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston
Summary
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of small phlebotomy tubes to reduce RBC transfusions in medical intensive care unit (ICU) and Intermediate care unit (IMU) patients with low hemoglobin compared with standard size tubes, to compare the intervention and the control groups in regards to: ICU length of stay (LOS), ICU mortality, hospital LOS, and hospital mortality and to assess the acceptability of small phlebotomy tubes in adult ICU and IMU patients.
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Admission to the medical ICU or IMU. * Hemoglobin less than 10 g/dL. Exclusion Criteria: * Clinical bleeding. Defined as any bleeding needing an intervention. An intervention could be an increase in the frequency of hemoglobin monitoring, a transfusion, a procedure, or a consultation intended to prevent or treat bleeding. * Hemolytic disorder (e.g. sickle cell disease, hereditary spherocytosis, autoimmune hemolytic anemia). * Bone marrow disorder (e.g. aplastic anemia, leukemia, marrow infiltration disorder, chemotherapy within the last 8 weeks). * Jehovah's Witnesses.…
Interventions
- DeviceSmall Phlebotomy Tube Group
In the small tubes group, the recommended blood volumes are 0.5 mL for hematology and single chemistry tests, and 1 mL when multiple chemistry tests are needed. A, a "non-formulary medication" order will be placed in the electronic medical record to alert nurses to collect blood in small tubes. Participants will continue to use small tubes anytime they are in the ICU or IMU.
- DeviceStandard Phlebotomy Tube Group
In the standard tubes group, the recommended blood volumes are 4.0 mL for hematology and 3.0 for chemistry tests.
Location
- The University of Texas Health Science Center at HoustonHouston, Texas