A poster, Reduction of RBC Transfusion in a Multi-hospital Healthcare System Using a Computerized Physician Order Entry Driving a Restrictive Transfusion Strategy, presented by a Norwood Hospital clinicians at the annual meeting of the American Association of Blood Banks, was selected as a Top Abstract Poster.

This honor is bestowed on only about 20 of a few hundred posters featured at the annual meeting. Selection is based on the quality of the submission and the significance of the scientific findings.

Dr. James Kolton, Medical Director of the Blood Banks at Norwood Hospital and St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center, and Susan Sullivan, Blood Bank Supervisor at Holy Family Hospital, presented the poster at the annual meeting of the American Association of Blood Banks in Philadelphia in October. The study was also co-authored by Dr. Justine Carr, Steward Chief Medical Officer, and Kirsty Boyd, Director of Clinical Integration.

The results of the study demonstrated that nine of the ten Hospitals experienced a sustained reduction in Red Blood Cell Units transfused after introduction of the restrictive CPOE. The Hospital without a reduction was already the best performer in the System. The Steward System, overall, reduced the transfusion utilization from an overall rate of 30 units of Red Blood Cells per 100 patient discharges to 22 units per 100 discharges, a statistically significant 26% reduction.

About Norwood Hospital
Norwood Hospital is a full-service, 263-bed community hospital for adults and children with a focus on delivering world-class health care along with the latest advances in technology and treatment options. Norwood Hospital is part of the Steward Health Care System LLC, the largest integrated community care organization in New England which combines over 3,000 physicians, 10 acute care hospitals, managed care, insurance programs, home care, an imaging operation, and a number of other post-acute services, to provide the most cost effective and highest quality of integrated patient care. Additional information is available at www.norwood-hospital.org