I was just wondering what the standard of practice was when using the Orthopat for post-op TKA and THA.
In particular how long can the device be used post-op?
I was under the impression that the Amerian Association of Blood Banks recomended that salvage should be limited to the first six hours post-op.
However, it is not uncommon at our institution to see the device on a patient for up to 36 hours.

Thanks

The OrthoPAT in the Post-Op setting has a screen that goes out to 48 hours. Rarely should it be used that long though. You are correct that AABB guidelines indicate infusion of shed/collected blood be transfused every 6 hours. The post-op floor nurse should have a couple of RBC collection bags available for collection & reinfusion during post-op bleeding. The screen will indicate in 30 minute increments how much blood the patient has lost.

Hey, do you guys have Procrit programs in place for total joint patients? And if so, how is your program set up? My difficulty comes from meeting all the requirements for Medicare reimbursement. How do you/can you get around the autologous blood donation, chronic anemia criteria etc? Any protocols to share or help is welcome. M

We have an anemia management preoperative program set up at our facility in our Outpatient Infusion Center. Give Colleen a call at 816-932-1738 and she would be happy to tell you all about it.
Elora

__________________
Elora Thorpe RN BSN
Coordinator
Blood Conservation Program
St. Luke's Hospital of Kansas City
Kansas City, MO. 64111
816-932-6183