Blood Transfusion Practices in Obstetrics & Gynecology - A 3-Year Retrospective Study at Ibri Regional Hospital, Oman

Blood transfusion is a critical intervention in obstetrics and gynecology, particularly for managing postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB), and anemia. Optimizing transfusion practices is essential to minimize risks and improve resource utilization. To evaluate transfusion patterns, indications, and appropriateness in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department at Ibri Regional Hospital, Oman, over a 3-year period. This retrospective observational study analyzed 422 transfusion cases (226 obstetric, 196 gynecologic) from January 2020 to December 2022. Data on patient demographics, transfusion indications, hemoglobin levels, blood component use, crossmatch-to-transfusion (C/T) ratio, and adverse reactions were extracted from medical and blood bank records. Descriptive statistics were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics. The results showed overall transfusion rate was 3.28%. Obstetric hemorrhage (66.8%), primarily PPH (80.1%), and anemia (33.1%) were the leading obstetric indications. In gynecology, Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) (48.5%) and early pregnancy complications (27.0%) predominated. The C/T ratio was 7.98, indicating inefficient blood utilization. Single-unit packed red blood cell (pRBC) transfusions were common (51.2%), and adverse reactions occurred in 0.94% of cases. Senior physicians made 96% of transfusion decisions, with informed consent documented in 60% of cases. While transfusion practices align with international standards, the high C/T ratio suggests a need for improved blood ordering protocols. Enhanced anemia management, patient blood management (PBM) strategies, and mandatory consent documentation are recommended to optimize transfusion practices.