PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Bawazir, Waleed M.
AU  - Dakkam, Fahad M.
TI  - Enhancing the utilization of packed red blood cells stock in maternity hospitals
AID  - 10.15537/smj.2020.6.25084
DP  - 2020 Jun 01
TA  - Saudi Medical Journal
PG  - 628--634
VI  - 41
IP  - 6
4099  - http://smj.org.sa/content/41/6/628.short
4100  - http://smj.org.sa/content/41/6/628.full
SO  - Saudi Med J2020 Jun 01; 41
AB  - Objectives: To assess and enhance the efficiency of transfusion services in maternity hospitals.Methods: A case control study was conducted from January to December 2016. A corrective policy of replacing preoperative type and hold step with blood transfusion request (BTR) hold was used only on healthy patients undergoing elective cesarean sections (c-section). The crossmatch/transfusion (C:T) ratio and a cost comparison were the evaluating factors. Data were analyzed using an Excel spreadsheet and SPSS statistical software.Results: A total of 1,200 BTRs were analyzed, comprising 659 before implementation of the corrective policy and 541 blood transfusion requests after implementation of the corrective policy. From January to March, the C:T ratio of c-sections was nearly 7 times the American Association of Blood Banks recommended limit of 2.5. Most of the blood units (94%) were damaged due to repeated booking. After implementation, the cost-effectiveness of erythrocyte transfusion was greatly enhanced as all the ordered blood units were used and the C:T ratio was reduced to the ideal limit of one. The number of destroyed units was drastically decreased from 450 units to zero; as a result, 83% of the transfusion costs were saved.Conclusion: The policy enhances the cost-effectiveness of erythrocyte transfusion and laboratory testing, and saves on additional, unnecessary costs.