Patient Blood Management PBM: an effective, safe, cost-effective and evidence-based way to provide medical treatment in the face of scarcity of blood bags caused by the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic caused a significant shortage of blood stocks in several countries. Different strategies used in this scenario, such as suspension of elective surgeries, calling for more donors and loosening of regulations used in blood centers have limitations. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness, safety and cost-effectiveness of a set of medical care called Patient Blood Management (PBM) through a narrative review of the literature. Methods: Non-systematic literature search, without restriction of type of study, date or language, in the scientific databases: MEDLINE, LILACS, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, SciELO, Scopus and Web of Science. Results: Randomized clinical trials and meta-analysis of observational studies demonstrated that the use of PBM promoted a reduction in blood transfusions, length of hospital stay, complications such as acute renal failure, infection, thromboembolic events, and mortality. Economic analysis studies have observed significant savings in financial resources in the places where the PBM was implemented. Conclusion: PBM is effective, safe and cost-effective, promoting a reduction in blood transfusions, improving clinical outcomes and saving financial resources, characteristics that make it relevant in the face of a health system overburdened by the pandemic.