[Variations in transfusion practice in Spain]

1) To study the variations in the use of erythrocyte, platelet and plasma transfusion in Spain between regions, within a single region (Andalusia), and between hospitals; and 2) To determine any correlation between transfusion and blood donor rates within these areas.

The data were gathered from the Administrations of 17 regions, 8 Andalusian provinces, and 30 Andalusian hospitals. The variables selected for the study were the rates of donation, the rates of transfusion of each component/1000 inhabitants, and the rates of transfusion/1000 hospital stays.

Among regions, the greatest variability was in platelet transfusion [Variation coefficient (VC) = 54.8%] and the least was in erythrocyte transfusion (VC = 21.2%). Donation rates correlated (r) strongly with erythrocyte and platelet transfusion rates, but not with those for plasma. Among the Andalusian provinces there was also a greater variability in the transfusion of platelets (VC = 61.3%) and a lesser one in erythrocyte transfusion (VC = 19.5%), and the correlation with donation rates was positive and significant for all the components (for erythrocytes, r = 0.93).

There are significant variations in transfusion practice in Spain at all the levels we analysed. Variations are greatest in platelet transfusion, followed by erythrocyte and finally plasma transfusion. Blood donation rates correlate strongly with transfusion rates for most of the components.