When it comes to blood: Every Drop is Precious.

It is the mantra that West Moreton Health clinicians have embedded into their everyday work - from surgical theatres to maternity units and the medical wards - to make sure no blood donation is ever wasted.

Despite the region’s growing population and an increased demand for health services, West Moreton Health continues to minimise the amount of donated blood it needs to continue its life-saving work through a series of clinical initiatives to conserve every drop.

Ipswich Hospital Executive Director Michael Lewczuk said the generosity of donors was never forgotten.

“Blood is a life-saving commodity, and we are very aware that our clinicians could not do their work without the selfless blood donation of people in the community,” Mr Lewczuk said.

“So the more blood we can save, the further each donation can stretch, and potentially save another life.”

New cutting-edge technology, and treatment procedures to optimise patients’ wellbeing, have resulted in significant decreases in blood wastage across all areas, and clinicians undergo frequent education to ensure they are meeting Australian best practice standards when it comes to blood transfusions.

Initiatives include the early detection and treatment of anaemia in patients preparing to have surgery, as well as the introduction of rapid testing for blood clot development in Ipswich Hospital’s Emergency Department when patients are at risk of bleeding.

Mr Lewczuk said the introduction of ROTEM testing technology at Ipswich Hospital has slashed the time it takes to get a blood clotting result from 90 minutes to about five minutes.

“This makes a huge difference to the treatment of road trauma patients, who often need blood transfusions quickly after a serious accident, and consequently the amount of blood that we need to give them to keep them alive,’’ Mr Lewczuk said.

“Trauma-induced coagulopathy is a blood-clotting disorder which can occur after a major trauma injury, and this can lead to a person having serious bleeding, or even death.”

Rapid testing and analysis have led to significant conservation of blood, as it means clinicians can quickly determine the levels of clotting factors in the patient’s blood, and then more easily decide the best targeted treatment for each person.

Surgeons operating in Ipswich Hospital’s theatres have also significantly reduced the amount of blood required in major elective surgeries such as joint replacements and bowel surgeries by ensuring early detection and management of anaemia in their patients before they have their procedure.

“Surgical patients with anaemia are more likely to need a blood transfusion and are at greater risk of complications leading to a stay in intensive care, or a longer stay in hospital post operatively,” Mr Lewczuk said. 

“By working with our local GPs to include them in our strategies for detection and management of anaemia, we are making sure patients’ anaemia or iron deficiency is treated before they have their surgery, leading to much better health outcomes for them, and a significantly reduced need for blood transfusion in hospital.”

Donated blood is most frequently used in the treatment of cancers and blood diseases, major surgeries, and orthopaedic joint replacements, road accidents including serious trauma, and post-delivery mothers.