engleski

Blood utilization management in tertiary care hospital

Objective: To analyze quality indicators of blood utilization in tertiary care hospital. Materials and methods: The computer records of blood utilization in 3-year period in our 1600-bed hospital were retrospectively evaluated. We analyzed rate of blood units that were not transfused which included: number of wasted units (unit discarded prior to its expiration date), expired units and units returned to transfusion service. Results: In evaluated period 0.88% of units received from our supplier Croatian Institute of Transfusion Medicine were not utilized [10.18% of received whole blood units, 1.20% of red blood cell (RBC) units, 1.05% of fresh-frozen plasma units and0.32% of platelet concentrates]. The expiration rate was 0.20%, and only RBC units were discarded because their maximum shelf life was reached. The wastage rate was0.68%, mostly because unused units were not return to laboratory before their temperature exceeded allowable limits, over ordering of blood products with short shelf life or bag breakage. The rate of returned units was high: 3.29% of issued units were not transfused and were returned at transfusion service. As much as 15% of RBC units issued to surgical patients were returned unused. Discussion: The rate of blood units that were not utilized is important indicator of blood stock management. It should be regularly evaluated to improve utilization of blood products and minimize wastages. It could also facilitate policy-making and financial planning.

blood utilization management, tertiary care hospital

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