 which was 41%. This response rate is similar to other national surveys of medical professional organization members. 29,30
We have no means of identifying and eliciting the responses of the anesthesiologists who chose not to respond to the survey.
In summary, significant changes in transfusion practices among anesthesiologists have occurred since 1981. Several organizations, including the ASA, promulgated transfusion guidelines during that time. Most anesthesiologists (72%) are familiar with the ASA Guidelines. Of those who are familiar with the guidelines, 55% find them somewhat useful, and 36% find them very useful. It would seem from the responses to the questions about platelet, FFP, and cryoprecipitate administration that the ASA Guidelines are, in general, being followed. The majority of anesthesiologists also seem to transfuse allogeneic and autologous erythrocytes in a manner consistent with the ASA Guidelines. The primary problems in transfusion medicine identified by the respondents were overtransfusion (particularly by surgeons), delays in obtaining laboratory results and blood for transfusion in emergency situations, blood shortages, and complications of transfusion (e.g., infectious disease and clerical errors). Several issues (e.g., platelet administration to patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and preoperative blood ordering procedures) were identified that warrant further educational endeavors and improved interaction with local transfusion services.
Appendix 1: 2002 American Society of Anesthesiologists Committee on Transfusion Medicine
Appendix 2: Survey of Active ASA Members Conducted in 2002 by the ASA Committee on Transfusion Medicine
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