Autologous blood transfusion in Auckland.
OBJECTIVE
To review autologous blood collection and transfusion practice in Auckland over the last five years.


METHODS
Records of autologous blood collections were obtained from blood collection centre records and results of transfusions on patients from hospital notes.


RESULTS
One hundred and sixty-four units of blood were collected from 77 patients. Seventy-five percent of the units collected were transfused. Most autologous blood was transfused to private hospital patients. Only 8% of patients required homologous blood.


CONCLUSIONS
There has been a slow increase of autologous blood collection and transfusion in the Auckland area, as well as in the rest of New Zealand. The present risks of homologous transfusion, particularly since the introduction of hepatitis C testing, appear very low. A further expansion of the present autologous blood programme would entail increased expenditure and it is suggested that a critical cost benefit analysis would be useful before the programme is expanded.
Theakston
E
E
Auckland Hospital.
Woodfield
D G
DG
D001803:Blood Transfusion; D001804:Blood Transfusion, Autologous / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D009520:New Zealand