Turnaround times of blood issue analyzed by a computer system

Kim, Hyun Soo; Lee, Do Hoon

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Transfusion service, as an activity that relates to people's life, should always compete with time concept in every moment. Therefore, it is significant endeavor to monitor every step of transfusion process, from blood request to recipient transfusion and to shorten the turnaround time (TAT). This study evaluated the TAT in blood transfusion in order to uncover the problems and to explore solutions associated with possible delay in transfusion. METHOD: We evaluated the mean TAT of request, preparation and issue of blood transfusion in our hospital from July to September, 2000, according to type of blood component, type of request and place of request. A computerized laboratory information system that can capture the exact times of blood request (request), crossmatch completed (preparation), and blood issue (issue) was utilized for the evaluation. Simultaneously requested identical blood components were considered as a single request. In the case that issue time was different between two simultaneously requested blood components, the issue time of the formerly issued blood component was used for calculation.
RESULTS
Mean TATs from request to issue were 80.6 minutes for red blood cells, 91.2 minutes for fresh frozen plasma, and 296.6 minutes for platelet concentrate. Mean TATs from request to preparation were different according to blood component, type of request and place of request. The mean TATs from preparation to issue showed a significant difference according to place of request (43.8 minutes overall and 11.8 minutes for operating room).
CONCLUSION
Our TAT data revealed a few problems in our transfusion process. Periodical monitoring of TAT and continuous education will enable to correct unreasonable processes and to shorten the TAT.