Korean J Anesthesiol.  1997 Feb;32(2):240-243. 10.4097/kjae.1997.32.2.240.

The Analysis on Overtransfusion of Surgical Patients

• Choi JK
• Son JC
• Kim JS
• Kim YL

• KMID: 2240309
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.1997.32.2.240

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Although blood is very important therapeutic agent in bleeding patients, it may transmit disease, cause an adverse reaction in the recipients, raise the cost of patient care. Since the misuse and inappropriate use of blood is common, we are to review the transfusion practice in our hospital and to reduce unnecessary blood transfusion.
METHODS
During a 10-month period from June 1994 through March 1995, 347 patients received blood transfusion during the operation. Among them, we reviewed retrospectively the charts of 211 patients available. We analyzed the transfusion pattern of 47 patients whose postoperative hematocrit exceeded 32 percent to determine the magnitude and cause of unnecessary blood transfusion.
RESULTS
The patients of postoperative hematocrit over 32 percent were 119 patients out of 211 patients(56.4%). The main cause of overtransfusion was no reevaluation of the patients hematocrit after the prior unit was given.
CONCLUSIONS
Guidelines for transfusing patients must be constructed based on acceptable intraoperative hematocrits. Unnecessary transfusion can be decreased when the transfusion done according to the guidelines, insisting on each reevaluation of the hematocrit prior to the administration of unit of blood.

Keyword

Transfusion complication; overtransfusion; Blood hematocrit

MeSH Terms

Blood Transfusion
Hematocrit
Hemorrhage
Humans
Patient Care
Retrospective Studies