Unnecessary blood collection in patients is a modifiable contributor to anemia and red blood cell (RBC) transfusion, as much of the blood drawn is ultimately discarded rather than analyzed. The STRATUS study evaluated whether the routine use of small-volume blood collection tubes (“soft draw”) could reduce RBC transfusion requirements compared with standard blood collection tubes in adult ICU patients across Canada. The findings suggest that implementing small-volume blood collection tubes in the ICU may reduce RBC transfusions without compromising laboratory accuracy and integrity.

Join us on September 10 at 12 PM ET for Choosing Wisely Talks. We will provide an overview of the trial and its implications in the ICU and beyond, real-world implementation considerations, and plans to spread this initiative to additional departments and hospitals in Canada.

Speakers:

• Deborah Siegal, Clinician Scientist, Inflammation and Chronic Disease, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
• Daniel Niven, Medical Director, ICU, Peter Lougheed Centre, Alberta Health Services