Quality indicators in department of IHBT– a one year retrospective study

Abstract

Introduction: Quality indicators play a vital role in maintaining and improving healthcare services, particularly in critical areas like the Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion (IHBT). Monitoring these indicators provides insights into the department’s performance in areas such as blood collection, transfusion safety, and adherence to protocols.

Objective: This study retrospectively evaluates key quality indicators within the IHBT at Victoria Hospital, Bangalore Medical College, over a one-year period (April 2022 to March 2023), with the aim of identifying trends, measuring performance, and providing recommendations for improvement.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted using data from the IHBT department’s internal databases, patient records, and incident reports. Quality indicators were collected and analyzed monthly, covering metrics like transfusion reaction rates, blood wastage, donor deferral rates, and adherence to transfusion protocols. Statistical tools were used to identify trends and deviations from expected performance.

Results: The study revealed a transfusion-transmitted infection (TTI) rate of 1.46%, an adverse donor reaction rate of 0.69%, and a donor deferral rate of 0.58%. The crossmatch-to-transfusion (C/T) ratio was 1.46, indicating efficient blood usage. A 3.93% discard rate was reported, with vasovagal syncope being the most common donor reaction (28 cases). Blood component discards were primarily due to insufficient collection, or damaged or expired blood bags.

Conclusion: The findings underscore the importance of continuous monitoring of quality indicators in blood transfusion services. While the TTI and adverse reaction rates were low, improvements in blood collection practices and minimizing component discards are recommended. These measures can further enhance safety, efficiency, and the overall quality of care provided by the department.