Massive Hemorrhage Protocol adoption and standardization with a provincial toolkit: a follow-up survey of Ontario hospitals.

Abstract

Purpose: Massive Hemorrhage Protocols improve outcomes for adults with severe hemorrhage, yet only 65% of Ontario hospitals had implemented one by 2018. In response, a Massive Hemorrhage Protocol toolkit was developed and disseminated province-wide in 2021. This study compares Massive Hemorrhage Protocol adoption and content in Ontario hospitals in 2023 versus 2018 using a pre- and post-toolkit rollout survey.

Methods: A 98-question survey was emailed to transfusion medicine laboratory directors or their delegate at 159 hospitals in 2023, 2 years after a provincial Massive Hemorrhage Protocol toolkit rollout that included a 1-day virtual symposium. Results were compared with the 2018 survey containing 82 identical core questions using Chi-square test, Fisher exact test, and Wilcoxon rank-sum nonparametric tests for quantitative data, and content analysis for qualitative data.

Results: The 2023 survey achieved a 100% response rate (n = 159); most respondents (n = 156) were transfusion staff. Hospitals with a Massive Hemorrhage Protocol increased significantly from 65% (n = 150) in 2018 to 77% (n = 159) in 2023 (p = 0.02). Small transfusion hospitals (< 5000 red blood cell units transfused/year) saw an increase in Massive Hemorrhage Protocol adoption from 60 to 74% (p = 0.02). By 2023, 95% (n = 159) of hospitals had/were implementing a Massive Hemorrhage Protocol. However, gaps in alignment to evidence-based recommendations remained, including hypothermia monitoring (missing in 25% of Massive Hemorrhage Protocols) tranexamic acid dosing (missing in 19%), and quality metric tracking (missing in 55%). Pediatric content was absent in 45% of Massive Hemorrhage Protocols in health centers caring for children.

Conclusion: The provincial Massive Hemorrhage Protocol toolkit's dissemination was feasible and associated with increased adoption in Ontario hospitals. Two-years post rollout, 77% of provincial hospitals have Massive Hemorrhage Protocols in place. Opportunities remain to align contents with evidence-based recommendations and expand to remaining hospitals. This strategy could guide other jurisdictions to improve Massive Hemorrhage Protocol adoption and harmonize practices.