Survey of blood transfusion needs in a tertiary Nigerian institute

Abstract

Introduction: Inappropriate blood transfusion has been reported from all over the world. Objectives: This survey examined the use of blood and blood products in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital with a view of assessing appropriateness of transfusion, so as to suggest ways of minimizing inappropriate transfusion if they occur. Materials and Methods: Three year blood transfusion records were analysed using simple arithmetic methods and in some instances Microsoft excel was used for graphical illustration. Results: A total of 7788 requests for transfusion were made during the period under review. Request for whole blood consisted of 6702 (86.1%), Red Blood Cells 1006(12.6%), Cryoprecipitate 33(0.39%) Fresh Frozen Plasma 10(0.13%) and for platelet concentrate was 37(0.5%). The highest no of transfusions were seen in Adult Medical wards 2327(29.9%) and the lowest transfusion rate was in ICU 15(0.2%). There were three main indications for transfusions recorded with Anaemia being the major cause for transfusion 3835(49.1%), and others being for Surgery 1863(23.9%) and Haemorrhage 1634(21.0%). Four hundred and forty nine (4.95) units of blood were wasted with majority being due to expired units 208(42%) and others due to infectious markers [(HIV 120(24.3%) HBV 75(15.2%), HCV 11(2.25)] while some were from units punctured 62(16.2%) and not used. Conclusion: inappropriate transfusion was prevalent in our hospital and we need to develop guidelines that would be used to edit the transfusion service in due course. Sahel Medical Journal Vol. 10 (1) 2007: pp. 19-23