Red cell inventory management and red cell wastage reduction strategies in a major regional laboratory

Abstract

Aims Red cell inventory management is important for quality control in transfusion medicine. In remote areas, to achieve a good blood product inventory management is even more challenging due to geographical impact on availability of blood products. The aim of this project is to significantly reduce red cell wastage rates at St John of God Pathology (SJOG), Geelong, Victoria, Australia. Methods Data from the BloodNet for a 12-month period (11/2012–10/2013) regarding the red cell inventory performance status (with focus on red cell wastage rate) at the local laboratory, statewide and a national level was reviewed. Issues of high red cell wastage rates were identified and strategies of red cell wastage reduction were initiated to improve red cell inventory management. Result Data of red cell wastage rates from 04/2014 to 10/2014 from the BloodNet showed a significant reduction (from 10–20% to 5%) on red cell wastage rates at SJOG Pathology, Geelong. This has met our primary goal of this project. Discussion This project demonstrates a good outcome on red cell inventory management in a major regional laboratory using daily estimation method with a good contingency plan. The BloodNet is a useful tool to manage red cell inventory.