Improving Use of Cytomegalovirus Negative and Irradiated Blood Products in an Outpatient Oncology Clinic

• Published in: Journal of the advanced practitioner in oncology Vol. 16; no. 4; pp. 137 - 142
• Main Author: Ezell, APRN, AGAC-NP, Susan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States BroadcastMed LLC 01.07.2025
• Subjects: Research & Scholarship
• ISSN: 2150-0878; 2150-0886; 2150-0886
• DOI: 10.6004/jadpro.2025.16.4.2

Background: Indications for the use of cytomegalovirus (CMV)-negative and irradiated blood products (IRBP) are not standardized and are often poorly understood by providers. This project evaluated the use of a transfusion algorithm in an outpatient oncology clinic to reduce the risk of transfusion-associated graft-vs.-host disease (TA-GVHD) and eliminate the improper use of CMV-negative and irradiated blood products. Objectives: The aim of this project was to increase the correct use of CMV-negative and irradiated blood products at an outpatient oncology clinic by establishing a transfusion algorithm, to evaluate the effectiveness of clinical transfusion algorithms on the use of specialty blood products, and to educate providers on TA-GVHD. Methods: This quasi-experimental project compared 12 weeks of transfusion data before the implementation of a transfusion algorithm to 12 weeks of transfusion data after the algorithm was introduced. A pre- and post-test survey measured the satisfaction and the impact of the education. Findings: The transfusion algorithm resulted in a clinically significant increase in the correct use of both CMV-negative and irradiated blood products at an outpatient oncology clinic. The education in-services provided to staff about TA-GVHD and the indications for irradiated blood product resulted in a significant increase in provider knowledge on ordering specialty blood products.