Can Pre-operative Anemia be Timely Identified and Optimized in Patients Awaiting Primary Arthroplasty Surgery? A Randomized Clinical Trial

Can Pre-operative Anemia be Timely Identified and Optimized in Patients Awaiting Primary Arthroplasty Surgery? A Randomized Clinical Trial

Can Pre-operative Anemia be Timely Identified and Optimized in Patients Awaiting Primary Arthroplasty Surgery? A Randomized Clinical Trial

Reducing the occurrence of anemia (low circulating hemoglobin levels) post-surgery has been associated with improved outcome, as it reduces complications and allows for faster return to pre-operative function. Post-operative hemoglobin level is dependent upon its pre-operative value (for a given amount of blood loss). About 17% of patients at the Ottawa Hospital (TOH), will be anemic pre-operatively, and if left untreated the patients will have significantly inferior outcomes compared to non-anemic patients. In order to improve outcomes, when a patient is identified as anemic, typically at the pre-operative assessment clinic, he/she is invited to be reviewed and optimized at the Pre-operative Blood Optimization Clinic (PBOC). However, only a quarter of anemic patients are seen in the PBOC due to the lack of time available between anemia identification and surgery and the current resources available. This project will focus on hemoglobin level optimization of pre-operative hip and knee, primary, arthroplasty patients to demonstrate whether early assessment and treatment of pre-operative anemia can be successfully integrated into practice and its impact on post-operative outcomes. Patients will be randomly assigned to either the current standard of care pathway with an anemia test at the pre-operative assessment clinic (2-4 weeks before surgery), at which time they have the option to seek treatment. Patients who are randomly selected to be in the experimental group, will undergo a test to detect anemia at the time they consent for surgery, which is usually 4-6 months prior to surgery. Patients with anemia, will be invited for treatment at the blood optimization clinic at this time. In doing so, this project will test whether timely identification and simple measures is feasible and whether such practice can reduce the overall anemia burden and ultimately improve patient outcome.

All patients in the experimental group will undergo a point of care test. Patients who meet the higher point-of-care-testing thresholds as possibly having anemia (female: 130g/L; male: 140g/L) will have a formal complete blood count (CBC) test. Formal CBC will not be ordered for all patients in the experimental group to limit the burden on hospital resources. The study co-ordinator will review CBC levels and contact patients to inform them of their results. Patients identified as having anemia in the formal CBC test will be invited to be reviewed in the PBOC. Patients in the experimental group who do not meet the threshold for possible anemia on the point-of-care test will continue the current pathway and be reassessed in the preoperative assessment clinic at the time of scheduled surgery. Patients in the experimental group who are determined not to have anemia after formal CBC tests will follow the same pathway.

Patients in the control group will not be tested at point of care and will continue on the current pathway and be assessed in the preoperative assessment clinic at the time of scheduled surgery.

Number of participants enrolled and willingness of participants to be randomized Comparing the Number of patients screened compared to the number of patients meeting eligibility criteria. Tracking crossover between the treatment groups, participant retention, and follow-up rates.

Number of control patients who begin treatment for anemia through family physician or self-medication

Hemoglobin levels of both groups at the time of arthroplasty as measured at the pre-operative assessment clinic

Change in hemoglobin level in the experimental arm between first formal assessment and pre-operative assessment clinic

Inclusion Criteria: 18 years of age Undergoing primary arthroplasty procedure Willing and able to provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria: Patients who are not eligible for assessment and optimization in the preoperative blood optimization clinic. This includes patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or other renal conditions under the care of nephrologists, receiving erythropoietin treatment Patients with known hematological malignancy or other hematological conditions which are already on some form of anemia treatment