Abstract
Frozen plasma (FP) is frequently transfused inappropriately, an intervention that results in risk without benefit for the patient. To better understand current utilization practices in our region, we undertook a provincewide prospective audit to evaluate the clinical indications and appropriateness of FP transfusion. All hospitals in the Canadian province of Ontario with transfusion medicine services were invited to participate in a 5-day audit of FP utilization. FP dose, indication, and clinical patient data were collected for each transfusion request. Indications for FP transfusions were independently adjudicated as appropriate, inappropriate, or indeterminate based on predefined criteria. Seventy-six (49%) of 155 invited hospitals participated in the audit, which included 573 requests for 2012 units of FP. A total of 559 transfusions (1909 units) were administered. Of 573 requests, 164 (28.6%) were deemed inappropriate most often because: 1) they were administered to patients with an international normalized ratio below 1.5 or 2) they were administered in absence of bleeding or emergency surgery. The most frequent indications for FP transfusions were before surgery and warfarin reversal. Overall, patients admitted to the clinical areas of surgery, internal medicine, and the emergency department represented the largest users of FP, but this varied by hospital type (community vs. academic). The most frequently requested doses of FP were 2 and 4 units. This point-prevalence hospital audit revealed that transfusion of FP is frequently inappropriate. Focusing on reducing the two most common reasons for inappropriate FP transfusions could lead to a significant improvement in FP utilization.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.