Evaluation of erythrocyte use in Imam Khomeini Hospital in Mahallat

Abstract Background and Objectives Given transfusion complications, high expenses, inadequacy of resources and time constraint in ensuring blood products, it is necessary to investigate the status of blood consumption and factors affecting the proper use of products.  In this study, the consumption status of RBCs was investigated in Imam Khomeini Hospital in Mahallat city.   Materials and Methods In this retrospective descriptive cross-sectional study, patient hemoglobin data were collected at the time of hospitalization, at the time of blood order, after blood administration, and at discharge. At the same time, the data on physician name, reason for hospitalization, platelet count, patient PT and PTT tests, and ratio of crossmatch by blood transfusion (C/T) were collected.   Results Out of 356 patients injected with RBCs, 91.7% were anemic at the time of blood request and 51.7% had the hemoglobin levels higher than 8 g/dL and received RBCs. The average C/T index was 1.06 with the highest value (1.8) pertaining to the surgical department and the lowest to the dialysis ward. There was no significant correlation between age, gender, PT, PTT, cause of hospitalization, and physician with frequency of blood transfusion.   Conclusions  The results showed C/T ratio to transfusion being lower than the acceptable value and indicated the ratio of blood order to transfusion being desirable. There was a significant correlation between blood order and hemoglobin reduction. Given the average hemoglobin threshold of patients at the time of blood order, it has been shown that mainly liberal transfusion strategy has been used in the hospital.   Key words: Anemia, Blood Transfusion, Hospitals