Authors' results and conclusions: The clinical place and the associated costs of intra-operative cell salvage in the Australasian context are difficult to ascertain and complicated by: inconsistency in research findings about the effectiveness and cost of cell salvage; limitations in the data available in Australia to inform the actual use and cost of allogeneic transfusion; limitations in the data about the number of potential cases that could utilise cell salvage and therefore its potential to reduce the need for allogeneic transfusion; and, no universally accepted components for calculating the 'true' costs associated with cell salvage and allogeneic transfusion. What is clear is that the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of cell salvage is specific to site, health service and health system, and these individualities need to be taken into account when cell salvage is considered.

Authors' recommendations: Should health services seek to introduce cell salvage, HealthPACT recommends consideration of the operating model and optimisation of other patient blood management interventions.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2015

URL for published report: Not Available

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Australia

Organisation Name: Adelaide Health Technology Assessment

Contact Address: School of Public Health, Mail Drop 545, University of Adelaide, Adelaide SA 5005, AUSTRALIA, Tel: +61 8 8313 4617

Contact Name: ahta@adelaide.edu.au

Contact Email: ahta@adelaide.edu.au

Copyright: Adelaide Health Technology Assessment (AHTA)