Volume 64, Issue S2 pp. S42-S49
MILITARY TRANSFUSION

Blood consumption in the Role 2 setting: A Department of Defense Trauma Registry analysis

Kelly K. McWhirter

Corresponding Author

Kelly K. McWhirter

2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colorado, USA

Shenandoah University, Winchester, Virginia, USA

Correspondence

Kelly K. McWhirter, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, CO, USA.

Email: [email protected]

Search for more papers by this author
Michael D. April

Michael D. April

14th Field Hospital, Fort Stewart, Georgia, USA

Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA

Search for more papers by this author
Andrew D. Fisher

Andrew D. Fisher

Department of Surgery, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

Texas National Guard, Austin, Texas, USA

Search for more papers by this author
Franklin L. Wright

Franklin L. Wright

Department of Surgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA

Search for more papers by this author
Julie A. Rizzo

Julie A. Rizzo

Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA

Brooke Army Medical Center, JBSA Fort Sam Houston, Texas, USA

Search for more papers by this author
Jason B. Corley

Jason B. Corley

Medical Capability Development Integration Directorate, JBSA Fort Sam Houston, Texas, USA

Search for more papers by this author
Todd M. Getz

Todd M. Getz

Center for Combat and Battlefield (COMBAT) Research, Aurora, Colorado, USA

Search for more papers by this author
Steven G. Schauer

Steven G. Schauer

Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA

Center for Combat and Battlefield (COMBAT) Research, Aurora, Colorado, USA

Department of Anesthesiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA

Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA

Search for more papers by this author
First published: 15 February 2024

The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not reflect the official policy or position of the US Army Medical Department, Department of the Army, Department of Defense, or the US Government.

Abstract

Background

The Role 2 setting represents the most far-forward military treatment facility with limited surgical and holding capabilities. There are limited data to guide recommendations on blood product utilization at the Role 2. We describe the consumption of blood products in this setting.

Study Design and Methods

We analyzed data from 2007 to 2023 from the Department of Defense Trauma Registry (DODTR) that received care at a Role 2. We used descriptive and inferential statistics to characterize the volumes of blood products consumed in this setting. We also performed a secondary analysis of US military, Coalition, and US contractor personnel.

Results

Within our initial cohort analysis of 15,581 encounters, 17% (2636) received at least one unit of PRBCs or whole blood, of which 11% received a submassive transfusion, 4% received a massive transfusion, and 1% received a supermassive transfusion. There were 6402 encounters that met inclusion for our secondary analysis. With this group, 5% received a submassive transfusion, 2% received a massive transfusion, and 1% received a supermassive transfusion.

Conclusions

We described volumes of blood products consumed at the Role 2 during recent conflicts. The maximum number of units consumed among survivors exceeds currently recommended available blood supply. Our findings suggest that rapid resupply and cold-stored chain demands may be higher than anticipated in future conflicts.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT

The authors have disclosed no conflicts of interest.

The full text of this article hosted at iucr.org is unavailable due to technical difficulties.