Real-time performance improvement optimizes damage control resuscitation best practice adherence: Results of a pilot prospective observational study

BACKGROUND: Maintaining balanced blood product ratios during damage control resuscitation (DCR) is independently associated with improved survival. We hypothesized that real-time performance improvement (RT-PI) would increase adherence to DCR best practice.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: From December 2020-August 2021, we prospectively used a bedside RT-PI tool to guide DCR in severely injured patients surviving at least 30 min. RT-PI study patients were compared to contemporary control patients at our institution and historic PROMMTT study patients. A subset of patients transfused ≥6 U red blood cells (RBC) in 6 h (MT+) was also identified. The primary endpoint was percentage time in a high ratio range (≥3:4) of plasma (PLAS):RBC and platelet (PLT):RBC over 6 h. Secondary endpoints included time to massive transfusion protocol activation, time to calcium and tranexamic acid (TXA) dosing, and cumulative 6-h ratios.

RESULTS: Included patients (n = 772) were 35 (24-51) years old with an Injury Severity Score of 27 (17-38) and 42% had penetrating injuries. RT-PI (n = 10) patients spent 96% of the 6-h resuscitation in a high PLAS:RBC range, no different versus CONTROL (n = 87) (96%) but more than PROMMTT (n = 675) (25%, p < .001). In the MT+ subgroup, optimal PLAS:RBC and PLT:RBC were maintained for the entire 6 h in RT-PI (n = 4) versus PROMMTT (n = 391) patients for both PLAS (p < .001) and PLT ratios (p < .001). Time to TXA also improved significantly in RT-PI versus CONTROL patients (27 min [22-31] vs. 51 min [29-98], p = .035).

CONCLUSION: In this prospective study, RT-PI was associated with optimized DCR. Multicenter validation of this novel approach to optimizing DCR implementation is warranted.