Evaluation of fresh frozen plasma usage at a medical college hospital - A two year study

Abstract

Aims: The aim of this is study was to evaluate the usage of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) according to indications and to reduce inappropriate usage. Methods: A two year retrospective study was conducted in Medical College Hospital blood bank. Based on the guidelines published by College of American Pathologists, National Health and Medical Research Council and Australasian Society for Blood Transfusion FFP usage were categorized into appropriate and inappropriate. Pre and post-transfusion INR/PT were recorded and the effect of FFP were studied in patients who received FFP. Results: During two years 1884 units of FFP were used for 945 patients. Only 454 (48%) requests were appropriate and 491 (52%) were inappropriate requests. Absence of bleeding or surgical intervention was the commonest reasons for inappropriate FFP use. Mean improvement in the pre-transfusion INR per unit of FFP was 0.75 (median 0.56, range 0–3.7) of which 33% showed significant improvement in the pre-transfusion INR. Conclusions: Our results showed a 48% appropriate and 52% inappropriate use of FFP in patients. Inappropriate FFP use could be reduced by educating the staff, by establishing the hospital transfusion guidelines, by regular evaluation of requistions and by conducting awareness programme among clinicians.