Analysis of Discard Rates of Blood and Blood Components as a Quality Indicator to Improve the Blood Transfusion Services of a Tertiary Care Hospital in South India

Abstract

Objective: Blood is recognized as a precious resource gifted by the blood donors to patients in need. This study was taken to understand the reasons for discard of donated blood units.

Methodology: The discard rate of blood and blood components was quantified as wastage as percentage of issue (WAPI) using last five years records. This was a retrospective study done using the past five years (2015-2019) records available with the Transfusion Medicine department of Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology.

Results: Our overall wastage as percent of issue (WAPI) over the last five years was 6.14%. WAPI for Packed red cells, Fresh frozen plasma and platelets was 4.23%, 3.56%, and 16.6% respectively.

Conclusions.  Even though wastage rates were comparable with published literature from other parts of the country, this study helped identify areas of intervention to further minimise the wastage.