Blood transfusion practices among delivery cases: A retrospective study of two years

Many women die while going through childbirth; hemorrhage being common cause for maternal mortality. Many maternal deaths can be saved by building up hemoglobin antenatally and timely blood transfusion. The transfusion may result in many complications hence the blood transfusion practices should be streamlined and adhered to and reviewed periodically. This retrospective study was undertaken at one of the tertiary care hospital to find out the blood demand and utilization practices among the delivery cases and suggest measures if any to improve the existing practices.

The study was performed over two years; normal standard practice like in any other hospital is being followed. Urgent blood demand is requisitioned whenever there is an emergency like a patient having post partum hemorrhage or abruptio placenta etc. Blood demand forms, blood administration and delivery records were checked and analyzed.

121 cases were given blood transfusion indicating the incidence as 2.67% among total delivery cases, blood transfusion among elective CS cases was 1.58% and 3.84% in emergency cesarean section; 2.82% of vaginal delivery were given blood transfusion for various unforeseen indications.

In spite of taking all measures hemorrhage can still occur at times so perilous that it must be managed energetically and promptly. The mode of delivery has some influence on blood transfusion. It is suggested that blood demand could be restricted only to high risk cases both for normal delivery and CS. This will reduce the work load on blood banks and there by improve efficiency.