Maximum surgical blood ordering schedule saves money and resources

Abstract EN

Objective : By documenting the ordering of blood and examining its utilization at King Abdulaziz University Hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, this study aimed to determining the cost and blood usage over a one-year period and showing the need for implementing a maximum surgical blood ordering schedule.

Method: This is a prospective study involving the collection of data from all cross-match and transfusion requests for elective surgery from October 1998 to October 1999.

Blood transfusion data for individual patients were collected and grouped according to the surgical department divisions and obstetric and gynecology department The total number of cross¬matched and transfused units were recorded and the ratio (number of units cross -matched / transfused) was determined.

The number of unnecessary cross-matched units and their cost including the technicians' time were calculated.

King Abdulaziz University granted this research.

Results: There were 7450 units cross-matched at King Abdulaziz University Hospital from October 1998 - October 1999.

The cross-matched units for elective surgery and obstetric and gynecology were 3049 and the transfused units were 318.

The ratio of cross¬matched / transfused blood units was calculated and it showed a very high and unacceptable value for each surgical procedure.

The highest ratio was observed in plastic surgery (12.9:1), followed by general surgery (9:1) and obstetric and gynecology; almost the same, (8.9:1) was recorded.

The cost of cross matching one unit was estimated to be 40 SR (Saudi Riyals) (1 US $=3.75 SR).

The number of unused cross-matched blood units was 2731 with the unnecessary cost of approximately 2731 x 40 = 109240 SR.

Conclusion: Although not currently practiced, it is highly desirable for this hospital to implement MSBOS.

The expected annual saving will be enormous and this money can be reallocated somewhere else for better efficiency at blood bank operations.