Blood loss in surgical oncology: neglected quality indicator?

Abstract

Quality indicators can be defined as "specific and measurable elements of practice that can be used to assess the quality of care". Surgical blood loss is one of the most significant perioperative predictors of patient outcome. Blood loss is a modifiable quality indicator for oncologic cancer surgery. Surgical oncologists need to alter their surgical technique to promote bloodless surgery and decrease the variability in reported blood loss and rates of blood transfusion.