2020 AABB Annual Meeting Session

The purpose of this session will be to engage learners in active discussions on the strategies that work to implement change in a multidisciplinary team involving anesthesiologists, operating room nurses, and blood bank specialists, with regards to transfusion practices in the operating room. Basic quality improvement techniques will be reviewed, including process mapping, analysis and redesign, and implementing and communicating key changes and training plans. The speakers will emphasize the importance of understanding how to improve processes. In addition, the concept of the Gemba Walk (getting first-hand experience and knowledge about the work being done by the front lines) will be introduced, which is critical for leaders and team members to appreciate the value created by multidisciplinary teamwork and attempts to improve processes.

The session will highlight the challenges of making change in a multidisciplinary environment, with emphasis on the perspectives of the anesthesiologist, operating room nurse, and blood bank specialists. With our goal of excellence in patient care with respect to transfusion of blood products, the speakers will explore the unique challenges faced by each role of the multidisciplinary team, including time and productivity pressures, as well as the positive and limiting aspects of the team model (resident, nurse anesthetist, etc.). The role those aspects play in engaging the multidisciplinary team to adhere to best practices in transfusion medicine will be emphasized. The discussion will use recent Quality Improvement Projects at our centers as models for improving communication between departments and among providers and technical staff with the overriding goal of maximizing patient safety.

Learning Objectives:

Produce a process map of blood product transport and handling from blood bank to the operating room.
Evaluate the function of a multidisciplinary team using a Gemba Walk (getting first-hand experience and knowledge about the work being done by the front lines).
Determine the ways leaders can improve team building strategies.

Dr. Prakash A. Patel MD, FASE

University of Pennsylvania

Appearances