Ann Lab Med.  2013 Sep;33(5):331-342. 10.3343/alm.2013.33.5.331.

Variation in the Numbers of Red Blood Cell Units Transfused at Different Medical Institution Types from 2006 to 2010 in Korea

• Kim V
• Kim H
• Lee K
• Chang S
• Hur M
• Kang J
• Kim S
• Lee SW
• Kim YE

• KMID: 1781338
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3343/alm.2013.33.5.331

Abstract

BACKGROUND
This study aimed at assessing the number of red blood cell (RBC) units transfused at different types of medical institution and examining the characteristics of transfusion recipients.
METHODS
We calculated and compared the number of transfusion recipients, total RBC units transfused, and RBC units transfused per recipient. Study data were extracted from insurance benefits reimbursement claims for RBC units at the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service from 2006 to 2010.
RESULTS
Between 2006 and 2010, the number of recipients of RBC units increased from 298,049 to 376,445, the number of RBC units transfused increased from 1,460,799 to 1,841,695, and the number of RBC units transfused per recipient changed from 4.90 to 4.89. The number of recipients aged > or =65 yr increased from 133,833 (44.9%) in 2006 to 196,127 (52.1%) in 2010. The highest number of RBC units was transfused to patients with neoplastic diseases (31.9%) and diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (14.4%). More than 80% of the total number of RBC units were transfused at tertiary and general hospitals. However, this composition rate was slightly decreasing, with the composition rate for hospitals increasing from 12.6% to 16.3%.
CONCLUSIONS
This study revealed an increase in the number of RBC units transfused over a 5-yr period due to an increase in the number of transfused recipients, especially recipients aged > or =65 yr; moreover, the number of RBC units transfused differed based on medical institution type. These results provide fundamental data on RBC transfusions required for future research.

Keyword

RBC; Transfusion; Transfused recipients

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Adult
Age Factors
Aged
Child
Child, Preschool
Connective Tissue Diseases/therapy
Databases, Factual
Erythrocyte Transfusion/*statistics & numerical data/*trends
Female
Hospitals, General/statistics & numerical data
Humans
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Insurance, Health, Reimbursement/*statistics & numerical data
Male
Middle Aged
Musculoskeletal Diseases/therapy
Neoplasms/therapy
Republic of Korea
Sex Factors
Tertiary Care Centers/statistics & numerical data
Young Adult

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Male transfusion recipients of red blood cell units from 2006 to 2010.

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  Fig. 2 Female transfusion recipients of red blood cell units from 2006 to 2010.

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