American Society of Hematology-American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
View all recommendations from this societyReleased December 9, 2019
Don’t transfuse packed red blood cells (pRBC) for iron deficiency anemia in asymptomatic pediatric patients when there is no evidence of hemodynamic instability or active bleeding.
In pediatric patients with asymptomatic, iron deficiency anemia, do not transfuse packed red blood cells (pRBC) in the absence of hemodynamic instability or active bleeding. Unnecessary pRBC transfusions put patients at risk for complications, such as transfusion reactions, blood borne infections and volume overload. The judicious use of pRBCs transfusions would also be associated with cost savings for healthcare systems.
These items are provided solely for informational purposes and are not intended as a substitute for consultation with a medical professional. Patients with any specific questions about the items on this list or their individual situation should consult their physician.
How The List Was Created
The American Society of Hematology (ASH) and the American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology (ASPHO) formed a task force to solicit, evaluate, and select list items for a pediatric focused Choosing Wisely list. The panel was composed of 13 members – two co-chairs (representing ASH and ASPHO), five members selected by each organization, and one member serving as an advisor on Choosing Wisely methodology. Suggestions were solicited from the membership of both societies. Formal systematic reviews of the evidence were completed for eight semi-finalist items. Final item selections were made by the ASH-ASPHO CW task force with reference to the following six guiding principles: avoiding harm to patients, producing evidence-based recommendations, considering both the cost and frequency of tests and treatments, making recommendations in the clinical purview of the hematologist, and considering the potential impact of recommendations. Harm avoidance was established as the campaign’s preeminent guiding principle.
Sources
Alberta Medical Association. Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA). 2018 Mar; Retrieved from actt.albertadoctors.org/CPGs/Lists/CPGDocumentList/IDA-CPG.pdf.
British Columbia Guidelines and Protocols Advisory Committee. Iron Deficiency – Diagnosis and Management. 2019 April; Retrieved from www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/practitioner-professional-resources/bc-guidelines/iron-deficiency.
