F A Fasola1, T R Kotila, W A Shokunbi. 1. Department of Haematology, University College Hospital, Ibadan. folukefasola@yahoo.com
Abstract
BACKGROUND/ OBJECTIVE: Blood bank audit embraces all procedures from blood procurement to the long -term consequences of transfusion which helps to identify opportunities for improvement. We have therefore looked at red cell transfusion in our hospital to identify areas that will require improvement. METHOD: Data was collected retrospectively from the hard copy record of the blood bank for a period of one month. RESULTS: Request was made for 1210 red cell units; crossmatch was made for 64% of the request. All units crossmatched were issued, of these 4.15% were returned unutilized. 5.1% were issued as uncrossmatched. The Obstetrics/Gynaecology unit recorded the highest blood usage and the medical unit the least. The use of blood by the emergency and paediatric were the same. The crossmatch:transfusion ratio for the hospital was 0.9:1. This study has shown that the crossmatch and transfusion rates are almost equal and only a small percentage was returned unused. CONCLUSION: This showed that there is inadequate supply of blood. There is a need to assess the reason for transfusion and establishing a blood transfusion advisory committee by the hospital. This will ensure interaction and collaboration between blood suppliers and users to improve the quality of transfusion practice. The new policy establishing a national transfusion service will also improve the transfusion service but emphasis has to be put on donor recruitment and donor care.
BACKGROUND/ OBJECTIVE: Blood bank audit embraces all procedures from blood procurement to the long -term consequences of transfusion which helps to identify opportunities for improvement. We have therefore looked at red cell transfusion in our hospital to identify areas that will require improvement. METHOD: Data was collected retrospectively from the hard copy record of the blood bank for a period of one month. RESULTS: Request was made for 1210 red cell units; crossmatch was made for 64% of the request. All units crossmatched were issued, of these 4.15% were returned unutilized. 5.1% were issued as uncrossmatched. The Obstetrics/Gynaecology unit recorded the highest blood usage and the medical unit the least. The use of blood by the emergency and paediatric were the same. The crossmatch:transfusion ratio for the hospital was 0.9:1. This study has shown that the crossmatch and transfusion rates are almost equal and only a small percentage was returned unused. CONCLUSION: This showed that there is inadequate supply of blood. There is a need to assess the reason for transfusion and establishing a blood transfusion advisory committee by the hospital. This will ensure interaction and collaboration between blood suppliers and users to improve the quality of transfusion practice. The new policy establishing a national transfusion service will also improve the transfusion service but emphasis has to be put on donor recruitment and donor care.