Transfusion Outcomes Research Collaborative
The Transfusion Outcomes Research Collaborative is a partnership between the Australian Red Cross Blood Service and Monash University’s Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine. This is a key component of ARCBS’ commitment to clinical research. The aim of the partnership is to explore blood component usage and patient outcomes following transfusion in Australia, and so enhance the quality of transfusion practice and help improve patient care.
Partnership aims
At present there is only limited information about the way blood products are used in different clinical areas in Australia. There evidence of substantial variation in transfusion practice, but little understanding of how this variation affects patient outcomes or how best to use blood components in various clinical settings. Data regarding the appropriateness of blood use with respect to established clinical guidelines are also limited.
The partnership’s research will focus on three major areas to gather information regarding transfusion practice and outcomes:
- expression of nationally consistent guidelines for collection of transfusion related data
- exploration of existing clinical registries and data sources
- extraction of novel data through linkages between existing, but separate, data sources
- establishment of new clinical registries for important blood disorders where data sources do not exist.
Key Activities
The partnership’s activities will address these deficits through existing and new data sources and data linkages. The partnership will gather data that is not currently held centrally and analyse it for trends in patient outcomes following transfusion. Relevant information is held in separate sites, including ARCBS information systems, institutional laboratory information systems, pharmacy dispensing systems, and established registries. These data will complement existing haemovigilance activities. It will also draw insights from this data that can be used as the basis for improving clinical practice guidelines, or used as the basis for additional research, including cost-effectiveness analysis and prospective clinical trials.
The partnership is monitored by an independent Steering Committee, chaired by Dr Merrole Cole-Sinclair with members including stakeholders and clinical and epidemiological experts.
Effective dissemination of the information gathered to enable translation of the research findings into improved clinical practice will be a high priority for the partnership.
If you are interested in participating in the work of the Transfusion Outcomes Research Collaborative, or would like further information, please contact us:
Dr Louise Phillips
Senior Research Fellow
Transfusion Outcomes Research Collaborative
Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine
Monash University
Phone: +61 3 9903 0051 Fax: +61 3 9903 0576
Email: louise.phillips@med.monash.edu.au
Dr Erica Wood
National Transfusion Medicine Services Manager
Australian Red Cross Blood Service
Phone: +61 3 9694 0203
Email: ewood@arcbs.redcross.org.au