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A prospective survey of blood products transferred with patients during inter‐hospital transfers in the East of England
Author(s) -
Bamber J. H.,
O'Brien J.,
Foukaneli D.,
Dhesi A.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
transfusion medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.471
H-Index - 59
eISSN - 1365-3148
pISSN - 0958-7578
DOI - 10.1111/tme.12231
Subject(s) - medicine , blood bank , blood transfusion , documentation , population , emergency medicine , surgery , environmental health , computer science , programming language
SUMMARY Objectives A prospective survey was undertaken of blood products transferred with patients during inter‐hospital transfers by ambulance in the East of England (population six million) Background There is little published information on the number and fate of blood products transferred with patients during inter‐hospital transfers, although there are concerns about quality assurance and traceability of these blood products. Recent national guidance has been issued, but adherence to this guidance is uncertain. Methods A 6‐month survey was undertaken of all inter‐hospital transfers of blood products with patients within the East of England using routine data captured by established transfer of blood documentation. Results There were 45 transfer episodes of which 44 involved the transfer of red blood cells. In total, 148 units of red blood cells were transferred, of which 6% were transfused en route, 3% transfused at the destination hospital, 35% were wasted and for 18% the fate could not be established. The remainder were transferred into the blood stock of the destination hospital. Conclusion The small proportion of blood products that were transfused raises questions about the necessity of the transfer of blood products with some patients particularly considering the higher percentage of wasted or untraced products. When transfers occur, there should be better communication between hospital transfusion laboratories assisted by adherence to national and regionally agreed policies.