Reducing the number of transfusions needed during surgeries could save hospitals up to $1,000 per patient, according to a study sponsored by Masimo (NSDQ:MASI) of its hemoglobin monitoring technology.
The 106-patient study, unveiled at the annual meeting of the Society for Technology in Anesthesia, showed that a group of neurosurgery patients monitored using Masimo’s noninvasive continuous total hemoglobin measuring technology had a 56% reduction in multi-unit red blood cell transfusions (from 73% to 32% of patients receiving 3 or more units) and a 47% reduction in the average number of RBC units used, compared with patients monitored without the Masimo technology.
And the technology helped the surgical team initiate transfusions 82% more quickly, thanks to real-time hemoglobin trend monitoring, according to Masimo.
That could translate into savings of
$470 to $1,065 per patient and $469,800 to $1,064,700 per 1,000 surgeries performed, according to the researchers.
"Hospitals looking to increase quality and reduce costs are now starting to see RBC transfusion overuse as a major target," Masimo founder & CEO Joe Kiani said in prepared remarks. "This high blood loss study from Cairo and the low blood loss study from Boston, show that SpHb can be a valuable tool in reducing unnecessary blood transfusion, and the Cairo study shows that for those who need transfusion, SpHb can speed up its delivery. This, along with the data that shows blood transfusion increases mortality and morbidity is why we launched our Blood Transfusion Related Cost Reduction (BTR-CR, "Better Care") Guarantee, which guarantees a hospital’s blood-transfusion related cost reductions will be greater than the cost of SpHb monitoring – representing a win for all involved, especially the patients."
