OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study is to predict the potential budget impact of implementing patient blood management (PBM) in the cardiovascular surgery department of a Turkish private hospital.

METHODS: Two budget impact models were developed: one based on avoided complications (sepsis with pneumonia, sepsis without pneumonia, renal failure, myocardial infarction and stroke) of patients suffering from preoperative anemia. A second one based on avoided transfusions-related complications (sepsis, renal failure, myocardial infarction, stroke). Two hospital data sets were used in the analysis. The first data set covered overall data from 302 operations undertaken in the department between 2018-2022. These data were used in estimations for number of anemic patients, number of red blood cell transfusions (RBC) and length of stay in the hospital. The second data set covered the number of operations between 2020-2022. Recent meta-analysis results were used to estimate the number of avoided complications with the preoperative treatment of anemic patients and the number of avoided complications due to reduction in the use of RBC transfusions. Treatment costs of complications were estimated with the reimbursement prices of the Turkish healthcare payer (SSI).

RESULTS: Preoperative treatment of anemia could have saved 4,189,802 TRY by avoiding anemia related complications. Total budget savings from reduction of RBC transfusions were estimated as 6,174,434 TRY. These are underestimations of real savings as the public prices of SSI were used in calculating the cost of treating complications. In addition to these, the hospital could have treated 137 more patients in the given period due to decreased length of stay. With these additional patients, the hospital could have earned additional 4.544.002 TRY with the floor prices of the Turkish Medical Association.

CONCLUSIONS: PBM is a budget saving option for both the SSI and hospital. Adopting PBM programs in both public and private hospitals is recommended.