Changing indications for red cell transfusion

Ballard, S.; Staves, Julie; Murphy, Michael

doi:10.1111/j.1365-3148.2007.00771.x

Cited by 12 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 1 publication

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Similar to previous studies, older age and low haemoglobin level were associated with the use of red cell transfusion [2,3,7,10,19,20]. More frequent transfusion among the elderly may be a consequence of higher levels of co‐morbidity linked to an impaired ability to tolerate anaemia.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 79%

“…Similar decreases have been observed in Finland and the USA [6]. Yet, future demand for red cells is likely to increase as a result of an ageing population and further advances in supportive care leading to increased activity in a medical setting [3,7,8]. As can be seen in Table 1, a small average increase in red cell use in the UK has been noted for the period 2008/9, contrasting with the continued fall in red cell use reported for Northern Ireland, albeit at a much reduced rate.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 64%

See 1 more Smart Citation

The epidemiology of red cell transfusion

et al. 2010

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background and Objectives Understanding of the clinical usage of red cells is limited despite its importance in transfusion practice improvement and planning for blood supply requirements. Previous studies have described red cell use based upon ICD and hospital discharge codes; however, such approaches are open to misclassification. This study addresses this limitation by undertaking an epidemiological analysis of red cell use using case note review. Materials and MethodsPatient, disease and contextual factors were extracted from the medical records of a randomly selected sample of hospital patients in Northern Ireland who received a red cell transfusion during 2005 (n = 1474).Results Transfused patients received a total of 3804 units (median of two units per transfusion episode). Most transfusions occurred in a medical setting (71%). Patients undergoing treatment for gastrointestinal conditions were responsible for the majority of the demand (29% of transfusion episodes; 34% of red cell units). The presence of bleeding and abnormal tests of coagulation were associated with receiving larger transfusions ( ‡ 3 units), while patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery and those with a haemoglobin level over 7 g ⁄ dl had the lowest risk of receiving ‡ 3 units in any one transfusion episode. ConclusionThe majority of red cells are now prescribed in a medical setting. With an ageing population and increasing therapeutic interventions, the demand for blood is likely to increase despite efforts to reduce usage by eliminating inappropriate transfusions through education and behaviour change. The post-transfusion target (and therefore the number of units to transfuse) for any given clinical situation as well as guidance on a 'safe' transfusion threshold should be considered in future guidelines.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 79%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 64%

The epidemiology of red cell transfusion

et al. 2010

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…These latter classifications can only be applied retrospectively, whereas utilization of the information provided by the physician on the request form can be prospective and immediate and is more likely to provide the actual reason for the transfusion. However, a study in Oxford using retrospective coding did produce results similar to those of the North of England . All hospitals in the study used RBCs from one supplier, NHSBT, and returns could be compared with issue and wastage data indicating that more than 73% of RBC units issued by NHSBT during the study period were included in this survey.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Where do all the red blood cells (RBCs) go? Results of a survey of RBC use in England and North Wales in 2014

et al. 2015

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…We thank Ballard et al (2007) for the interest shown in our report. Their data confirm that our findings, of a marked reduction in red cell use for surgical indications and an increase in use for medical indications, are not a regional quirk but part of a national trend.…”

mentioning

confidence: 75%