Increase Accuracy of Visual Estimation of Blood Loss from Education Programme
Matchuporn Sukprasert MD*, Wicharn Choktanasiri MD*, Nathpong Israngura Na Ayudhya MD*, Pattama Promsonthi MD*, Pratak O-Prasertsawat MD*
Affiliation : * Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University
Objective : To study the increase accuracy of visual estimation of blood loss after an education program.
Materials and Methods : Seven simulated scenarios with known measured amount of blood were created by
using expired packed red cell from blood bank and common surgical materials. Ninety nurses were randomized
into two groups. The experimental group attended blood loss estimation course while the control group did
not. The percentage of errors in blood loss estimation were calculated and compared between both groups.
The main outcome of this study was percentage of nurses who had accurate estimation. We assumed that if the
estimated blood volume is within twenty percentage of actual volume it is accurate.
Results : There were no difference in age group (p = 0.08), clinical experiences (p = 0.95) and type of work
(p = 0.47) between both groups. Educational program significantly increase accuracy in blood loss estima-
tion (p < 0.05) in all seven scenarios.
Conclusion : Educational program increased the accuracy of visual estimation of blood loss.
Keywords : Visual estimation of blood loss, Education programme
