Patient blood management in general intensive care patients
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By
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Patrick Meybohm
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David M. Baron
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Dietmar Fries
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Sigismond Lasocki
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Alexander P. J. Vlaar
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Kai Zacharowski
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Suma Choorapoikayil
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June 8, 2026
Clinical Scorecard: Management of Blood Resources in Patients in General Intensive Care Units
At a Glance
| Category | Detail |
|---|
| Condition | Anemia in Intensive Care Patients |
| Key Mechanisms | Multifactorial etiology including hemolysis, frequent phlebotomy, bleeding, reduced erythropoiesis, and iron deficiency. |
| Target Population | Critically ill patients in intensive care units. |
| Care Setting | General Intensive Care Units (ICUs) |
Key Highlights
- Anemia is common in ICU patients and linked to worse outcomes.
- Patient Blood Management (PBM) strategies can optimize blood health.
- IV iron supplementation can moderately increase hemoglobin levels.
- PBM implementation is associated with reduced transfusion rates and hospital stays.
- Hemostatic abnormalities are prevalent and require careful management.
Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
- Systematic assessment to identify reversible causes of anemia.
Management
- Implement comprehensive anemia management and evidence-based transfusion strategies.
Monitoring & Follow-up
- Monitor hemoglobin levels and transfusion requirements.
Risks
- Adverse events associated with blood products include allergic reactions and transfusion-related acute lung injury.
Patient & Prescribing Data
Critically ill patients requiring intensive care.
IV iron administration can lead to a moderate increase in hemoglobin concentrations and reduce transfusion needs.
Clinical Best Practices
- Utilize a multimodal PBM approach tailored to institutional needs.
- Focus on minimizing surgical and procedural blood losses.
- Consider the use of IV iron for managing anemia in ICU patients.
Related Resources & Content
