This survey provides information on blood component usage in a German university hospital. It demonstrates the concentration of today's blood utilization among a few diagnostic categories. The study shows that detailed information on local blood use may be obtained quickly by using data available from transfusion services and medical record departments. This information is relevant for quality management of transfusion practice, cost analyses and for planning local and regional blood donation programs.

A remarkably high frequency of discrepancies exists between computerized blood bank records and the information recorded on returned blood transfusion forms. The processes of data acquisition and entry must be included in quality assurance efforts in transfusion medicine.