Regional blood usage review: a quality assessment study from New Jersey hospitals

In 1986, the American Red Cross/New Jersey Blood Service (NJBS) conducted a blood utilization review of the use of red blood cells (RBCs), platelets, and fresh frozen plasma (FFP) in nine hospitals in the NJBS region. The director of NJBS analyzed the collected data and categorized the justification criteria for blood transfusion. Their study found that female patients and patients over 60 years of age are the largest users of blood products, the average number of RBC units used is three, and the most common indication for RBC use is hypovolemia due to surgery. There was a high degree of compliance with justified criteria of use for RBC transfusion, although platelet and FFP use and pretransfusion nursing documentation require improvement.