Autotransfusion is a safe alternative to allogeneic blood transfusions, and the use of cell saver technology is becoming more prevalent in hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers. Currently valued at $360 million, the global autotransfusion devices market is projected to grow to $590 million by 2034. Fortune Business Insights credits a number of factors contributing to market growth, including the eliminated need for cross-matching and the reduced risk of both complications and infection. Moreover, it cites the increased volume of surgical procedures across specialties as well as the rising demand for organ transplantation. 

As hospitals increase their use of autotransfusion, they can improve outcomes and patient safety. SpecialtyCare can support your ability to provide high quality autotransfusion services across departments, from the trauma ward to your organ transplant program.

Autotransfusion Safety at a Glance

Hospitals can improve patient safety with the expanded use of autotransfusion, for these key reasons:

• Lower risk of complications and disease transmission. According to StatPearls, “Transfusion of donated blood carries the risk of disease transmission, citrate toxicity, hyperkalemia, hypothermia, hypomagnesemia, acidosis, sepsis, respiratory failure, and thrombotic complications.” Autologous blood does not carry the same risks.
• Lower risk of infection. Allogeneic blood transfusions can weaken a patient’s immune system, exposing them to potential infection; but when patients receive their own blood back, it can improve their immune status and quality of life, which speeds recovery.
• Shorter length of stay. Autologous blood provides a number of benefits to patients in comparison to donated blood, including the increased potential of a shorter length of stay. This can reduce their risk of infection, complications, and readmission.

Additionally, a large body of research indicates the specific benefits of autotransfusion versus the use of allogeneic blood transfusion:

• Cell saver technology can be used safely even in the event of bacterial contamination, as confirmed by multiple studies.
• Patients undergoing cancer surgery have been shown to experience poorer outcomes when exposed to allogeneic blood transfusions and its immunomodulatory effects. Autologous blood transfusion avoids donor-related immune exposure and has not been shown to worsen oncologic outcomes in many cancer surgeries. 
• For urologic and in pulmonary surgery, studies show WBC depletion filters are highly effective at removing tumor cell contamination.  
• WBC depletion filters, along with cell washing, will remove fetal squamous cells to an extent comparable to the concentration of these cells in a maternal blood sample following placental separation.
• Cell saver technology is supported for obstetric hemorrhage (in over 800 documented procedures).

Research shows that 40-60% of blood transfusions are inappropriate. Autotransfusion can meet needs and improve patient safety especially in cases where 20% of patients require a transfusion, anticipated blood loss is 15-20% of the patient’s blood volume, in incidences of rare blood groups, and where religious and cultural preferences come into play.

How SpecialtyCare Can Support Your Autotransfusion Services

Blood donations have dropped by 40% in the last 20 years, and 29% of US blood centers have very low supplies — just 1-2 days worth of blood. Autotransfusion makes the patient’s own blood readily available without the need for cross-matching, and autologous blood is fresher, either being recycled immediately or temporarily stored for a procedure. Donated blood can lose oxygenation and expire after weeks of storage.

SpecialtyCare can support your autotransfusion services, helping you improve outcomes and reduce the immense cost burden of acquiring, transporting, typing, and storing donated blood. We currently employ 125 autotransfusion technicians across 15 states, and our dedicated team is constantly available for case support — 24/7/365. We provide annual clinical competency testing and education to ensure that our team members are fully trained according to best practices. We support neuro, spine, and orthopedic procedures, trauma cases, high risk OB/GYN surgeries, cardio and vascular procedures, organ transplants, and more.

We can assist you in providing greater levels of safety to your patients as you reduce unnecessary costs by expanding your use of autotransfusion. Get in touch with us today to learn more!