Bone marrow biopsies: A hospitalist bedside procedure service 5-year experience

Background: Bone marrow aspiration and biopsies (BMAB) are a relatively frequent procedure needed in the inpatient setting, especially in a tertiary care center. Objective: Procedure-focused hospitalists can provide an excellent option for doing inpatient BMAB. Here we present five years of experience with a hospitalist bedside procedure service (BPS) performing BMAB. Design: In 2016, the BPS partnered with the oncology service to begin performing inpatient BMAB. Settings and Participants: We evaluated internally collected data from the procedures performed by the BPS from 2016–2020. Intervention: From 2015–2016, faculty members on the BPS team were trained by the oncology department to do a BMAB, which was then offered as an inpatient procedure by the BPS from 2016–2021. Main Outcome and Measures: Total number of BMAB performed, success rates, bleeding risk profiles of patients, rate of trainee participation, and complication rates. Results: The BPS performed a total of 432 BMAB from 2016–2021. Forty-six (10.6%) were unsuccessful and required referral for CT guidance. Elevated bleeding risk was present in 88 (20.4%) of patients. Trainees assisted in 62 (14.4%) of the procedures.There was one complication (0.2%).