A Survey of Utilization of Blood Components for Transfusion by Training Hospitals (2000)

Min, Hyuk Ki; Kim, Hyun Ok

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Most of blood components in Korea have been used at training hospitals. For representing more advanced supplying modalities about an effective usage of blood components, all blood components which were supplied by the Korean Red Cross (KRC) and used in training hospitals were surveyed and analyzed in 2000. METHOD: The data about blood collection and distribution were based on statistical yearbook of KRC and the data of blood components used and discarded was analyzed by survey from 222 training hospitals, which belong to the Korean Hospital Association. Result : The amounts of red blood cells (RBCs), fresh frozen plasmas (FFP) and platelet concentrates (PC) supplied by KRC at 2000 year were 1,554,855 units, 575,760 units and 1,151,919 units, respectively. Among total blood units supplied by KRC, 1,264,724 units of RBCs (81.3%), 516,506 units of FFP (89.7%) and 1,038,447 units of PCs (90.1%) were used at 222 training hospitals. The usage of blood components in each region was concentrated on metropolitan cities, and particularly 56.9% of RBCs, 62.5% of FFP and 62.9% of PCs were used in 3 regions (Seoul, Pusan and Kyunggido).
CONCLUSION
Since the usage of blood components in Korea was concentrated on few number of metropolitan cities, it is not easy to supply appropriately for the demand of each regional blood center. For further effective blood supplies, development of more advanced blood transportation system should be attempted : Sharing of information about blood demands, an efficient supplying of blood components, shortening time and preventing accidents during the transport of them.