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An international investigation into O red blood cell unit administration in hospitals: the GRoup O Utilization Patterns (GROUP) study
Author(s) -
Zeller Michelle P.,
Barty Rebecca,
Aandahl Astrid,
Apelseth Torunn O.,
Callum Jeannie,
Dunbar Nancy M.,
Elahie Allahna,
Garritsen Henk,
Hancock Helen,
Kutner José Mauro,
Manukian Belinda,
Mizuta Shuichi,
Okuda Makoto,
Pagano Monica B.,
Pogłód Ryszard,
Rushford Kylie,
Selleng Kathleen,
Sørensen Claess Henning,
Sprogøe Ulrik,
Staves Julie,
Weiland Thorsten,
Wendel Silvano,
Wood Erica M.,
van de Watering Leo,
van WordragenVlaswinkel Maria,
Ziman Alyssa,
Jan Zwaginga Jaap,
Murphy Michael F.,
Heddle Nancy M.,
Yazer Mark H.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
transfusion
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.045
H-Index - 132
eISSN - 1537-2995
pISSN - 0041-1132
DOI - 10.1111/trf.14255
Subject(s) - abo blood group system , medicine , group b , context (archaeology) , economic shortage , blood transfusion , transfusion medicine , group a , blood type (non human) , emergency medicine , paleontology , linguistics , philosophy , government (linguistics) , biology
BACKGROUND Transfusion of group O blood to non‐O recipients, or transfusion of D– blood to D+ recipients, can result in shortages of group O or D– blood, respectively. This study investigated RBC utilization patterns at hospitals around the world and explored the context and policies that guide ABO blood group and D type selection practices. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS This was a retrospective study on transfusion data from the 2013 calendar year. This study included a survey component that asked about hospital RBC selection and transfusion practices and a data collection component where participants submitted information on RBC unit disposition including blood group and D type of unit and recipient. Units administered to recipients of unknown ABO or D group were excluded. RESULTS Thirty‐eight hospitals in 11 countries responded to the survey, 30 of which provided specific RBC unit disposition data. Overall, 11.1% (21,235/191,397) of group O units were transfused to non‐O recipients; 22.6% (8777/38,911) of group O D– RBC units were transfused to O D+ recipients, and 43.2% (16,800/38,911) of group O D– RBC units were transfused to recipients that were not group O D–. Disposition of units and hospital transfusion policy varied within and across hospitals of different sizes, with transfusion of group O D– units to non‐group O D– patients ranging from 0% to 33%. CONCLUSION A significant proportion of group O and D– RBC units were transfused to compatible, nonidentical recipients, although the frequency of this practice varied across sites.