Cross Sectional Study on the Pattern of Blood Utilization and Quality Indicators at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Karnataka

Abstract

 Background: Blood transfusion services are vital for medical care but require efficient use to ensure patient safety and optimal resource utilization. Quality indicators such as the crossmatch-to-transfusion ratio (C/T), transfusion probability (%T), and transfusion index (TI) help to monitor and improve utilization efficiency. Aim: To assess the pattern of blood component utilization and assess quality indicators across various departments in a tertiary care hospital in Karnataka. Materials & methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study analyzed transfusion records from January 2023 to December 2024 at the Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Victoria Hospital, Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute. Data on patients, units crossmatched, issued and transfused were collected, and C/T ratio, %T, and TI were calculated for each department. Results: A total of 21,156 PRBC units were crossmatched, and 15,692 units were transfused. The overall C/T ratio, %T, and TI were 1.34, 76.76%, and 0.98, respectively. Efficient utilization (C/T ≤2.5, %T ≥30%, TI ≥0.5) was observed in most departments, including Burns, Gastroenterology, Nephro-Urology, and General Medicine. Over-ordering of blood was noted in General Surgery followed by Trauma & Emergency Care Centre. Conclusion: Overall utilization was efficient, but certain departments demonstrated overordering. Implementation of Maximum Surgical Blood Ordering Schedule (MSBOS), Type-and-Screen (T&S) policy, and Institutional transfusion guidelines is recommended to further optimize utilization. Proper communication between the department of Transfusion medicine and other departments as well as regular auditing is necessary to prevent wastage of blood and resources.