Reasons for Discarding of Whole Blood/Red Cell Units in a Regional Blood Transfusion Centre in Western India

To analyze the reason for discarding whole blood and red cell concentrates in a Regional Blood Transfusion Centre in India. Retrospective analysis of electronic data on collection of blood and reason for discard of whole blood and red cell concentrate between January 2012 and December 2016. 1,70,431 units of blood were collected between January 2012 and December 2016 in various blood donation camps. On an average 6.60% whole blood or red cell units were discarded because of various reasons. Out dating was the single important cause for discarding such units leading to loss of 6.7-7 million rupees (USD 1,00,000) to the blood bank. Infective units, haemolysed units, insufficient amount collected units and leakage were other important causes for discarding the units. Using multiple approaches of donor selection, staff training rescheduling of blood camps and sharing this precious resource with other blood bank can significantly minimize the discard rate. The reasons for discard of blood units varied not only from one blood centre to other but also from one country to another.