This is the landmark trial that compares a restrictive to a liberal red blood cell transfusion strategy.  Here are some things to think about when reading this article:

• What are our current pRBC transfusion goals for most patients?
• How are the transfusion goals different for patients with ischemic heart disease and active bleeding?
• What study population is included in this study trial? How are the study results generalized in practice and should they be?

And now, some tips/reminders for ordering transfusion in ORCHID:

• Search for “transfusion” and select the appropriate “Blood Transfusion” order set.
• The order set will include packed red blood cells (pRBC’s), Platelets, Plasma (FFP), and Cryoprecipitate as well as premedications.
• Check the Request to Blood Bank order to first request (and hold) the blood product.
• Check the Transfuse order to transfuse the blood product (it must be requested first)