Hemostasis Today

February, 2026
February 2026
M T W T F S S
 1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
232425262728  
Tareq Abadl: Massive Transfusion Protocols – Speed, Balance, and Survival
Feb 6, 2026, 18:31

Tareq Abadl: Massive Transfusion Protocols – Speed, Balance, and Survival

Tareq Abadl, Medical Laboratory Specialist and Director of the Blood Bank at Dr. Abdelkader Al-Mutawakkil Hospital, shared a post on LinkedIn:

”Massive Transfusion Protocols (MTP)

When bleeding is massive, speed saves lives.

An MTP is a predefined, hospital-wide workflow that synchronizes clinical teams, the blood bank, and the lab to deliver balanced blood products fast and safely – not just RBCs.

Key Clinical Principles

  • Activate early
    Use local triggers (physiology, estimated blood loss, or clinical judgment). Do not wait for labs. Early activation improves outcomes.
  • Balanced resuscitation
    Deliver RBCs + plasma + platelets early (e.g., 1:1:1 or 1:1:2) to restore hemostasis quickly; associated with better early control and survival signals in trauma.
  • Early TXA
    Give tranexamic acid promptly to eligible bleeding trauma patients. Benefit depends on early administration within the recommended window.

Lab and Blood Bank Actions That Matter

  • Pre-packed MTP sets
    Ready-to-issue packs (RBC:plasma: platelets or whole blood). One call, one pickup. Define pack sequence and shortage rules.
  • Goal-directed testing (if available)
    Use TEG/ROTEM to target therapy (fibrinogen, platelets, antifibrinolytics). Avoid “shotgun” transfusion. Validate algorithms locally.
  • Standardized urgent workflows
    Rapid ABO checks, emergency-issue rules, and LIS flags so ED/OR/Blood Bank stay aligned during activation.

Operational Must-Dos

  • Drill regularly
    Annual multidisciplinary simulations (ED, OR, ICU, blood bank, lab, transport) to cut errors and delays.
  • Measure what matters
    Track time-to-first pack, inter-pack intervals, ratios delivered, reactions, and outcomes. Use data to refine.
  • Plan contingencies
    Document actions for O-negative shortages, platelet shortages, or whole-blood use; define authorization and mandatory debriefs.

Practical Checklist

  • Pre-assembled MTP packs 24/7
  • Emergency issue + ABO verification pathway
  • TXA protocol (dose + time window) in trauma bays
  • VET pathway with local thresholds (if used)
  • Annual drills + post-event debrief template
  • Bottom Line

An MTP is rehearsed choreography under pressure.
Activate early • Deliver balanced packs fast • Use goal-directed testing when feasible • Measure everything.”

Transfusion

Stay updated with Hemostasis Today.