A number of studies have been undertaken globally which have focused on improving the appropriate use of red cells.

The UK National Blood Service in conjunction with the Royal College of Physicians has produced a National Comparative Audit of Blood Transfusion and a Trent Regional Audit of the Appropriateness of Red Cell Transfusions.   These studies focus on the specialties requesting red cells, the indications for transfusion, co-morbidities affecting the decision to transfuse, patient age and gender, average number of units transfused, appropriateness of transfusion and a number of other factors involved in the transfusion process. 

In the USA data on the epidemiologic attributes of red cell transfusions have been published.  Friedman et al, Cook and Epps and Vamvakas and Taswell all presented data relating to transfusion demographics including; gender ratios, age category, surgical vs medical indications for transfusion and major disease categories.

The New Zealand Blood Service has also collected data into red cell transfusion demographics.

The NBA will be commencing a project to better understand current red cell usage in Australia It is anticipated that this project will provide the platform to achieve greater efficiencies through more informed supply planning and targeted implementation of data-driven clinical practice improvement. 

The project will commence with a two day workshop in May 2008 where existing data studies on red cell usage will be shared and discussed.

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This page last modified on 5 January, 2009
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