Blood transfusion practices--a case study

Blood transfusion practices of the treating doctors in a district hospital in Haryana were studied through retrospective study of blood bank records for the years 1992 to 1994 and interview of the clinicians of various specialities in the hospital. It was found that utilization of the whole blood was 90%, 89% and 81% respectively of the total blood units utilized during this period. Single unit transfusions out of the total transfusions done were 87% in 1992 and 1993 while these were 89.9% in 1994. Blood was often requested for volume replacement in acute haemorrhage. Only homologous blood transfusions were done at the hospital. This study has highlighted that there is scope for improvement of blood transfusion practices by strictly following the indications for use of blood, promoting the preparation and use of blood components, use of plasma expanders for acute blood loss, avoiding single unit transfusions and promoting the use of autologous blood during routine surgery.