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Hospitals are required by accrediting agencies to perform blood utilization review. Specific areas that must be addressed are the ordering, distribution, handling, dispensing, and administration of blood components. Monitoring the effects of transfusion on patients is also required. The format of the review process and the criteria for appropriate blood utilization must be developed by each institution. This article provides examples of areas that can be reviewed and procedures that may be used. However, the suggested laboratory values must not be interpreted as defining indications or criteria for transfusion. Each transfusion committee, or its equivalent, is responsible for developing its own institutional blood utilization procedures and audit criteria. Review and approval by the medical staff prior to implementation are essential. The procedures must also be reviewed and revised on a regular basis.

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Studies of risk factors associated with reactions among autologous blood donors have been limited. Therefore, 2091 autologous and 4737 homologous donations were examined. Donors at greatest risk for reaction were autologous donors who had reactions at first donation; among 45 who made repeat donations for the same surgery, 17 (38%) had repeat reactions. The group least likely to experience reactions were the autologous donors greater than or equal to 66 years old; they experienced a 1.9 greater than or equal to percent (6/310) incidence of reactions. More reactions were seen in both autologous and homologous donors in the categories of first-time donor, female gender, decreasing age, and lower weight. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that all of these variables were independent predictors of donor reaction, with first-time donation (odds ratio, 2.4) and female gender (odds ratio, 1.9) being the strongest predictors of reaction. Donor room personnel should be alerted that autologous donors who react at first donation are very likely to react at subsequent donations. Contrary to common concern, elderly autologous donors are least likely to have reactions.

To determine blood loss, the number of transfusions, and the hemoglobin levels achieved in patients via transfusion in the course of total hip arthroplasty, 324 patient records from 1987 through 1989 were reviewed at three university and three community hospitals. Calculated blood loss was 3.2 +/- 1.3 units in primary procedures and 4.0 +/- 2.1 units in revision procedures (mean +/- SD). Of 777 red cell units transfused, 455 (59%) were autologous units. Transfused patients received 2.0 +/- 1.8 units for primary procedures and 2.9 +/- 2.3 units for revision procedures (mean +/- SD). The maximum number of units given to 95 percent of the transfused patients was 4 for primary procedures and 6 for revision procedures. The mean postoperative hemoglobin level after all transfusions was 103 to 110 g per L, regardless of patient age group of physical status, autologous donor status, or hospital. No difference in length of hospital stay was observed for patients less than 65 years old with hemoglobin concentrations of 80 to 139 g per L at discharge.

Transfusion practices have changed considerably since 1981. Current transfusion practices are, in general, consistent with the ASA Guidelines.

To determine the extent to which autologous blood that has been donated in advance ("predeposited") is used in patients undergoing elective surgery and to assess whether predonation decreases the use of homologous blood and the demand on the blood supply, we studied 4996 patients undergoing elective surgery at 18 tertiary care hospitals. Cross-matched blood was ordered for 1287 patients (26 percent), and of these, 590 (46 percent) were considered eligible for predepositing blood. Only 5 percent (32) of the eligible patients actually predeposited blood, indicating that predonation is not widely used. Of those who predeposited, only 13 percent (4 of 32) subsequently received homologous blood, as compared with 36 percent (199 of 558) of those who did not predeposit (P less than 0.01). Among the 199 patients who did not predeposit but required transfusion, we estimate that predonation could have avoided homologous transfusion in as many as 68 percent. If all eligible patients had predeposited autologous blood, they could have supplied as much as 72 percent of their own transfused red cells. The blood for as much as 10 percent of all red-cell transfusions could have been predonated by and transfused into the patients undergoing elective surgery. Greater use of predonation would not only reduce the demand on the blood supply by decreasing the need for homologous transfusion, but would probably also reduce the risk of hepatitis and other transfusion-associated illnesses.

The intent of this report is to familiarize health care professionals with the concept of effective quality assurance in regard to blood use. Although evaluation of the appropriateness of transfusion therapy is now required by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Organizations, health care facilities have little experience with this aspect of professional quality assurance. To this end, the Committee on Transfusion Practices of the American Association of Blood Banks, in Arlington, Va, in this report has provided examples of indications and audit criteria for individual blood components and products and commented on areas of controversy surrounding their use. Audit criteria from different institutions may vary because of differences in local interpretation of the indication, different patient populations, and, in some instances, the availability of blood and laboratory services. Several approaches to the review of transfusion practices are discussed in relation to clinical settings and pertaining to particular blood components. It is evident from these examples that there will be an increased need for trained personnel to perform the initial review process as well as for physicians trained in transfusion medicine to oversee the transfusions and provide the necessary consultation.