[Can the system for ordering blood for elective surgery be improved?]

The authors investigated the effectiveness of ordering of blood for elective surgery. Analysis of a group of 333 operated patients revealed that blood was administered only in 9% of the operations, i.e when compared with the number ordered the ratio ordered: issued was 13:1. Based on their own experience the authors present the possibility how to improve the blood ordering system from the surgical as well as blood bank activity aspect.