Estimation of Blood Loss: Comparing the Accuracy of Operating Room Personnel

Results of this study support previous studies of the same nature that clinicians, in general, grossly underestimate intraoperative blood loss. Although it may not be the most influential factor in blood replacement therapy, estimation of intraoperative blood loss does play an important role, and it is important for the operating room team to constantly be aware of the progression of blood loss. No patient should be denied a transfusion if it is clearly indicated. If all clinicians were aware that their estimates were 50 under the actual amount of intraoperative blood loss, would blood replacement therapy be different than what is today This study suggests that the average clinician will be inaccurately underestimating intraoperative blood loss, especially at the higher limits of blood loss. It is the authors belief that, even if these clinicians were made aware of these types of discrepancies, their strategies for blood replacement therapy would minimally change.