Evaluation of single unit red cell transfusions given to adults during surgery

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The ready availability of blood in Surat city has resulted in its liberal use. Surat Raktadan Kendra and Research Centre (SRKRC) is 30 years old blood bank having license to supply blood components. In spite of publishing quarterly bulletin and organizing seminars to update clinicians’ knowledge still we have not achieved rational use of blood. Present study has evaluated the use of single unit as well as whole blood transfusion for adult surgery cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 8470 surgery cases in the age group of 19 years to 95 years receiving 13070 units of whole blood and 3761 units of red cell concentrate (RCC) during surgery were analyzed on the basis of incidence of single unit and whole blood transfusions, sex and Hb values using Microsoft Excel. RESULTS: Analysis revealed that 38.9% cases received single unit and 77.7% whole blood transfusions. Females more frequently received single unit transfusion than males (p< 0.001). The highest incidence of single unit (62.2%) and whole blood transfusion (95.2%) was observed for urogenital surgeries. The lowest incidence (22.9%) of single unit transfusion was for cancer surgeries. There was no significant difference in the mean Hb level at which male and female cases, received single unit transfusion (p>0.5). Mean Hb concentration was about 10.0 g/dl for patients receiving single unit of whole blood and 8 g/dl for those who received single unit of RCC. CONCLUSION: Surgery patients are receiving inappropriate transfusions. Continuous awareness programmes are needed to achieve judicious use of blood.