Rate of Blood Product Transfusion and its Complications in the Emergency Department

 Due to blood supply problems, the cost of blood processing, and the complications of blood transfusion, it is very important to observe the indications for blood transfusion. In addition, necessary precautions should be taken for blood transfusion. Therefore, this study was performed to evaluate the criteria for receiving blood products as well as transfusion complications in patients referring to the emergency department. 

 This study was a descriptive-analytical and cross-sectional study. All patients who referred to Imam Hossein and Shohadaye Tajrish Hospitals and needed to receive blood products during 36 months from April 2016 to March 2018 were evaluated. The data collection tool was a researcher-made checklist that included demographic characteristics, injection indication, and transfusion complications. After collection, the data were entered into SPSS statistical software version 18 and analyzed using Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests. 

 The mean age of patients was 43.51 ± 20.05 years. Sex distribution showed that 61.5% were male. The results showed that the amount of blood products consumed was 2041.28±161.309 units for all patients and 410.89±52.056 units in the emergency department. O and AB blood groups had the highest and lowest frequencies, respectively. In terms of injection indication, trauma was the most common. A difference was observed between the amounts of reserved and consumed products in the emergency department: 357.25±62.105 units for packed cells, 123.33±28.238 units for fresh frozen plasma, 71.533±21.313 units for blood platelets, and 53.78±12.069 units for cryoprecipitate. In terms of complications, shivering (22 cases) was the most common. The results showed that the difference between the mean reserve of compressed blood cells in 2016 and 2017 was significant (P = 0.029). There was also a significant difference between reserved platelete units in 2016 and 2018 (P=0.031). 

 Blood reservation should be done according to specific instructions, and quantitative and qualitative control in the field of blood reservation and consumption in medical centers is necessary. Also, reducing the number of unnecessary injections of blood product units to patients can be one of the effective factors in reducing the complications of blood transfusion.