Optimizing Blood Utilization: A Comprehensive Cross-Sectional Study on Patterns, Quality Indicators, and Wastage Rates in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Background & Objectives: Blood transfusion is an essential aspect of patient care, particularly in the inpatient and emergency settings. This study estimates the blood utilization rate, wastage factor, and quality indicators in a tertiary care hospital. Materials and Methods: The present study was a retrospective record-based cross-sectional study conducted in a tertiary teaching hospital. The data was collected from January 1st to December 31st, 2022, from the blood issue register, cross-matching register, blood group register, and transfusion reaction register respectively. The department-wise and overall utilization of blood and its components, the blood quality indicators like cross-match: transfusion ratio (C: T), Transfusion probability (%T), Transfusion Index (TI), Transfusion reaction rate, and wastage rate were analyzed. Results: Among 9,930 units, the utilization rate reached 100%, with packed red blood cells (PRBC) being the most prevalent at 58.94% and cryoprecipitate at the lowest with 1.04%. In terms of departmental usage, Obstetrics and Gynecology (OG) led with 35.5%, while orthopedics had the lowest usage at 4.2%. Key blood quality indicators yielded a C: T ratio of 0.99%, %T at 84.08%, TI at 1.00%, a transfusion reaction rate of 0.17% and, a wastage rate of 0.18%. Interpretation & Conclusion: Our study indicates effective blood utilization, as evidenced by positive outcomes in all blood quality indicators. Blood banks play a crucial role in vigilantly monitoring the trends and maintaining blood utilization in life-saving needs.