Cost of allogeneic and autologous blood transfusion in Canada. Canadian Cost of Transfusion Study Group.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the cost, from a societal perspective, of blood transfusion in Canada.


METHODS
Cost-structure analysis.


METHODS
Data were collected from eight hospitals and from six blood centres operated by the Canadian Red Cross Society in four provinces.


METHODS
Costs associated with four stages of transfusion-- collection, production, distribution and delivery--in 1933 were assessed. Costs were divided into the following categories; personnel, purchases, external services, overhead, donors' time, patients' time (for autologous transfusion), wastage and infection.


RESULTS
The mean overall cost of a transfusion performed on an inpatient basis was $210 per unit of red blood cells for an allogeneic transfusion and $338 per unit of blood for an autologous transfusion. The mean cost of an allogeneic transfusion performed on an outpatient basis was $280 per unit of red blood cells.


CONCLUSIONS
The costs determined in this study can be used in future studies comparing the cost-effectiveness of allogeneic transfusion with that of alternative methods.
Tretiak
R
R
Benefit Research Group, Montreal, Que.
Laupacis
A
A
Rivière
M
M
McKerracher
K
K
Souêtre
E
E
D001771:Blood Banks / Q000191:economics; D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods; D001804:Blood Transfusion, Autologous / Q000191:economics; D002170:Canada; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004180:Direct Service Costs; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000191:economics; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013997:Time Factors