Pattern of Blood Component Utilization in a Teaching Hospital in South Kerala

In the absence of an effective substitute that can perform the vital functions of blood, transfusion of donated blood remains the mainstay of treatment for a wide range of medical conditions.  Given the limited availability of donated blood, the aim of Blood Utilization Management System is to minimise wastage of blood resources and optimise the utilisation of blood products. Analysis of blood usage pattern can help improve the utilization of transfusion resources, can predict future blood demand and help maintain inventory levels.  A comprehensive retrospective analysis of the utilization of all conventional blood components over a period of three years was performed at a tertiary care hospital.  Blood components transfused were correlated with the diagnosis and indications for transfusion.  A total of 4013 blood units were supplied during the studied period.  RBC (42.5%) was the most utilized product, followed by frozen plasma (30%).  The demand for blood products was highest from medical wards.  Gender distribution showed higher requirements of platelets and frozen plasma by male patients and red cells by female patients.  While the demand for red cells and plasma was more for older patients, demand for platelets did not show any age trends.  Demand for platelets peaked during the months from May to August and demand for other components showed a secular trend. Keywords: Blood Transfusion, Blood Components, Blood Products, Transfusion Medicine, Blood Component Utilisation