Introduction: Blood component transfusions form a vital role in the resuscitation and management of both medical and surgical patients. Treating doctors tend to over-order blood components in surplus of utilization. Policies for ordering a transfusion may be put into practice based upon audits, discussion and agreement made by the Hospital Transfusion Committee (HTC).

Methodology: A prospective study was undertaken for a period of 18 months in the department of transfusion medicine at a tertiary care teaching hospital. The data was collected from blood component request forms and blood-reserve & issue registers in the hospital blood bank. Blood utilization indices [Crossmatch/Transfusion Ratio (C/T Ratio), Transfusion Probability (%T) & Transfusion Index (TI)] were computed. Data were entered in MS excel and analyzed using SPSS version 20.

Results: During the study period, the department of transfusion medicine received 6197 crossmatch request forms for 1198 patients. From 6197 units crossmatched, 1040 (16.8%) were transfused and the rest of the crossmatched units were temporarily removed from main stock. The blood units prepared per patient ranged from one to eight units. The complete blood utilization indices of the hospital were C/T ratio of 5.95, %T of 67.7% and TI = 0.87 respectively.

Discussion: Blood transfusion indices of the present study were optimal but comparatively higher as most of the crossmatched blood was not utilized.  Developing a structured blood transfusion policy by the Hospital transfusion committee will pave way for better blood inventory, efficient blood utilization and financial savings.

Keywords: Blood component transfusions, Hospital transfusion committee (HTC), Blood utilization indices, Crossmatch/Transfusion Ratio (C/T Ratio), Transfusion Probability (%T), Transfusion Index (TI)

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Dr D.Umesh

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