Analysis of Fresh Frozen Plasma Usage at a Regional Hospital

Kim, Sun Hyung; Kim, Young Ree; Kang, Sung Ha

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Fresh frozen plasmas (FFPs) do not seem to be effectively managed compared to red blood cells and prophylactic transfusions of FFPs still occur in many cases. We evaluated appropriateness of FFP transfusion and analyzed the conditions of FFP usage in a regional hospital.
METHODS
The conditions of FFP usage were investigated over one year from January 2012 to December 2012 using computerized medical records and archived documents. Results of coagulation tests before transfusion, appropriateness of FFP usage, and the reason for discarding FFP were investigated, and the assessment of the appropriateness of FFP transfusion was based on the transfusion guidelines published by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
RESULTS
During the study period, 2,675 units of FFP were transfused to 364 patients over 752 episodes. FFP transfusions were inappropriate in 33.1% of episodes, and empirically used FFPs without performing pre-transfusion coagulation tests or when the test results were in the reference range occupied 25.7% of inappropriate FFP transfusions. Improper use of FFPs was most common in the Department of Emergency Medicine. During the three-year period, discarding rate of FFPs was 1.3% and the most common cause was the death or worsening condition of patients. Discarding FFPs was greatest in the Department of Thoracic Surgery and Cardiology.
CONCLUSION
Many FFPs were inappropriately transfused. This was due to a general lack of understanding of the transfusion guidelines among physicians. Continuous training and education as well as ongoing monitoring of FFP usage are necessary.