A Crawford-Sykes1, K Ehikhametalor2, I Tennant2, M Scarlett2, R Augier2, L Williamson2, G Wharfe3, H Harding-Goldson2. 1. Department of Surgery, Radiology, Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, The University of the West Indies, Kingston 7, Jamaica. annette.crawfordsykes@uwimona.edu.jm. 2. Department of Surgery, Radiology, Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, The University of the West Indies, Kingston 7, Jamaica. 3. Department of Pathology, The University of the West Indies, Kingston 7, Jamaica.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Many neurosurgical cases are done without the need for blood transfusion, yet blood is unnecessarily cross-matched, resulting in wasted resources. This study was undertaken to document and compare the number of units of blood components requested, cross-matched and transfused in neurosurgical cases at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI). METHODS: A prospective, observational study was undertaken over one year. Data collected for each patient included demographic information, relevant perioperative data, and blood banking data including blood components requested, cross-matched and transfused. Data were analysed using SPSS version 16. RESULTS: Data were analysed on 152 patients, 71 females (46.7%) and 81 males (53.3%). The mean age was 48.7 ± 19.6 years and 100 of the procedures were done electively (65.8%). Blood components were ordered in 114 (75%) cases, red cells more commonly in 113 (74.3%) patients, and plasma in 19 (12.5%) patients. Overall, 20 patients (13.2%) were transfused. Most patients (90.9%) needed one to two units of blood. Of the 236 units of blood components that were cross-matched or prepared, only 62 were transfused. The cross-match/preparation to transfusion ratio (CTR/PTR) was 6.00 for red cells and 1.31 for plasma. Preoperative haemoglobin ≤ 10.0 g/dL (p = 0.001), estimated blood loss of ≥ 1 litre (p < 0.001), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status score (p < 0.03) and a resident as lead surgeon (p < 0.05), were significant predictors of blood transfusion. CONCLUSION: The transfusion rate was low with a high cross-match to transfusion ratio, suggesting that less cross-matching is needed. A new approach to blood ordering for neurosurgical cases is recommended.
OBJECTIVE: Many neurosurgical cases are done without the need for blood transfusion, yet blood is unnecessarily cross-matched, resulting in wasted resources. This study was undertaken to document and compare the number of units of blood components requested, cross-matched and transfused in neurosurgical cases at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI). METHODS: A prospective, observational study was undertaken over one year. Data collected for each patient included demographic information, relevant perioperative data, and blood banking data including blood components requested, cross-matched and transfused. Data were analysed using SPSS version 16. RESULTS: Data were analysed on 152 patients, 71 females (46.7%) and 81 males (53.3%). The mean age was 48.7 ± 19.6 years and 100 of the procedures were done electively (65.8%). Blood components were ordered in 114 (75%) cases, red cells more commonly in 113 (74.3%) patients, and plasma in 19 (12.5%) patients. Overall, 20 patients (13.2%) were transfused. Most patients (90.9%) needed one to two units of blood. Of the 236 units of blood components that were cross-matched or prepared, only 62 were transfused. The cross-match/preparation to transfusion ratio (CTR/PTR) was 6.00 for red cells and 1.31 for plasma. Preoperative haemoglobin ≤ 10.0 g/dL (p = 0.001), estimated blood loss of ≥ 1 litre (p < 0.001), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status score (p < 0.03) and a resident as lead surgeon (p < 0.05), were significant predictors of blood transfusion. CONCLUSION: The transfusion rate was low with a high cross-match to transfusion ratio, suggesting that less cross-matching is needed. A new approach to blood ordering for neurosurgical cases is recommended.
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