Prevalence and correlates of hospital-based autologous blood programs: a statewide survey

To identify potential barriers to use of autologous blood procurement to minimize homologous blood transfusion needs during elective surgery, the authors conducted a telephone survey of 120 blood bank directors, representing 138 Ohio hospitals. The prevalence of autologous blood procurement facilities, estimated volume of autologous blood, and attitudes and perceptions of the directors toward autologous blood predeposit programs were assessed. Analysis of the data indicated that 30% of Ohio hospitals have autologous blood procurement facilities; larger hospitals were more likely to have this facility. Overall, 5.5% of transfusions involve predeposited autologous blood. No significant differences were found according to hospital bed size or whether the hospital had a procurement facility. Blood bank directors perceived surgeons to be knowledgeable about autologous predeposit; patient demand and surgical practice were felt to be more effective in promoting the use of autologous blood at the hospital than were blood bank efforts. Directors who had autologous predeposit procurement facilities perceived that the facility provided a marketing advantage. Respondents from larger hospitals were more likely to perceive that these programs could be financially self-sufficient. The authors conclude that an economic cost-benefit analysis of hospital-based autologous blood procurement programs is important. Positive findings may influence transfusion services to adopt autologous blood procurement programs, whereas negative findings may convince hospitals that community blood donor facilities can provide better autologous blood procurement.