Evaluation of Overnight Transfusion in Single Tertiary Hospital

Choi, Kyung Ho; Kang, Seon Joo; Lim, Young Ae

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Overnight transfusions have been associated with higher transfusion risk than transfusions during the day. The aim of the study was to evaluate the transfusion status at our hospital and to help provide plans for overnight transfusions.
METHODS
All blood products, including red blood cell products (RBC), fresh frozen plasmas (FFP), and all platelet products (PLT) issued between January 2013 and December 2014 were included. Night1 (5 pmâˆ¼8 am) and Night2 (8 pmâˆ¼8 am) were defined as overnight, and all issued bloods (IB) were analyzed in accordance with the issued time, ordered medical departments, and the reason of transfusion.
RESULTS
The total unit number of IB at Night1 (Night2) was 53,483 (38,224), and it consisted of 44.4% (31.7%) total IB; 53.2% (39.6%) FFP; 46.8% (33.4%) RBC; and 39.3% (27.6%) PLT. The IB ordered from the departments of trauma & acute care surgery and emergency medicine consisted of 40% IB. The 80.9% RBC, 53.1% FFP and 70.2% PLT could be considered as appropriate for overnight transfusion.
CONCLUSION
Due to the characteristics of our hospital with many trauma patients, the percentage of IB during an overnight period in our hospital was higher than those in other countries, and the rate of appropriate reason for RBC transfusion was also higher. However, as inappropriate overnight transfusions may have been still performed, education for medical staffs and appropriate policies for overnight transfusion could be helpful in reducing inappropriate transfusion.