Compliance with Australian splenectomy guidelines in patients undergoing post-traumatic splenectomy at a tertiary centre

We performed a retrospective cohort study among adult patients who had undergone post-traumatic splenectomy at a tertiary referral centre in Sydney, to assess compliance by health professionals and identify factors that could improve uptake of ASID recommendations. We reviewed hospital medical records and discharge summaries to assess compliance with recommendations before and after the publication of the ASID guidelines. Our study highlights gaps in best practice and areas for quality improvement and education. Lack of awareness of the guidelines among the surgical teams was found to be a notable factor in the poor compliance with the 2008 ASID guidelines. Asplenia and hyposplenia care should involve a multidisciplinary approach with involvement of surgeons, infectious diseases physicians, haematologists, pharmacists and clinical nurse coordinators.