Implementation of a Patient Blood Management Program in Gastric Cancer Surgery

upPBM description: After performing a laboratory work-up 2 to 4 weeks before surgery, preoperative iron supplementation in case of iron deficiency anemia at least 7 days before surgery was recommended. Preoperative anemia was defined by a Hb level \< 13 g/dL for both sexes. In anemic patients, iron status study was recommended and iron supplementation with intravenous iron was indicated if Hb\<12g/dL and/or ferritin \<300 mg/l. Intravenous iron (ferric sucrose or carboxymaltose) was administrated with the goal of recovering iron deficit, calculated using the Ganzoni formula or by the simplified strategy, only available for ferric carboxymaltose. Recommended transfusion triggers were: Hb \< 9 g/dL for patients with risk factors and/or anemia symptoms; and Hb \< 7 g/dL for the rest of patients in absence of active bleeding.