Module 2 Perioperative: Patient Blood Management Guidelines

The second in a series of six evidence-based guidelines was approved by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) on 15 November 2011, and released on 9 March 2012. It is based on the best available evidence published up to July 2009.

The Perioperative module is under review. While the review is underway, the original version remains available to guide practice.

The Perioperative module is intended to inform health-care practitioners, health educators, health service managers and policy makers about the pre, intra and postoperative care of patients undergoing surgery or invasive procedures, particularly those in which blood loss is anticipated.

The Perioperative module includes an adaptable Preoperative Haemoglobin Assessment and Optimisation template. The template is for patients undergoing procedures in which substantial blood loss is anticipated such as cardiac surgery, major orthopaedic, vascular and general surgery.

The Perioperative module and accompanying resources can be accessed by clicking on the relevant links below.

Guideline

Summary of clinical guidance

To request hard copies of the module or quick reference guide (free within Australia and New Zealand only) please click here to place your order.

Preoperative Haemoglobin Assessment and Optimisation Template

Technical Reports

College and Society Endorsements

The National Blood Authority (NBA) greatly appreciates and acknowledges the input received from the clinical community in producing the Patient Blood Management Guidelines. We are pleased to acknowledge that the following organisations have formally endorsed Module 2 – Perioperative:

• Australasian College for Emergency Medicine
• Australasian Society for Emergency Medicine
• Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists
• Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society
• Australian and New Zealand Society of Blood Transfusion
• Australian College of Nursing
• Australian Red Cross Lifeblood
• College of Intensive Care Medicine of Australia and New Zealand
• Medical Oncology Group of Australia
• Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand​
• Royal Australasian College of Surgeons
• Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
• Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia

Review and update of the PBM Guidelines

The NBA is currently considering the review and update process across the entire suite of modules rather than each module being updated in an isolated and iterative process. The aim is to transition to a sustainable and updateable methodology that will enable updates as the evidence base and clinical practice evolves. For more information please refer to the Patient Blood Management Guidelines Progress Update webpage.

PBM updates

Keep up to date with updates on patient blood management and our guidelines by subscribing to the PBM mailing list through BloodPortal(Opens in a new tab/window).

Get in touch

We welcome feedback on this guideline to inform future reviews or the development of materials to support implementation.

Email: guidelines@blood.gov.au