Data on apheresis, blood collection, and transfusion-related activities: statistical analyses of the American Association of Blood Banks institutional membership questionnaires.
BACKGROUND
The American Association of Blood Banks annually surveys institutional members on activities pertinent to blood collections, apheresis, and transfusions.


METHODS
Retrospective descriptive statistics and comparative statistical analyses including trend tests were performed on selected topics from the 1989, 1990, and 1991 Institutional Questionnaires. The data were compiled by institution type, namely, regional and community blood donor collection centers and hospital-based facilities. Evaluated topics included the apheresis and therapeutic procedures performed, transfusion-associated AIDS and hepatitis, and the blood components (red cells, platelets, fresh-frozen plasma, and cryoprecipitate) that were collected, transfused, or outdated or discarded.


RESULTS
Significant findings (p<0.05) included upward trends over time in the numbers of donor plateletpheresis units collected and transfused and in the numbers of random-donor platelet concentrates collected by hospitals. There was an upward trend over time in the outdating or discarding of all blood component types that was reported by hospitals. Data from blood centers showed the outdating or discarding of significant numbers of apheresis platelets, fresh-frozen plasma, and cryoprecipitate. No significant trends were identified in the reported cases of transfusion-associated hepatitis or AIDS.


CONCLUSIONS
Ongoing data analysis of the institutional questionnaires provides information on trends in blood collection and transfusion-related activities.
Devine
P
P
Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA.
Goldstein
R
R
Linden
J V
JV
Postoway
N
N
Hoffstadter
L K
LK
Hines
D M
DM
D001771:Blood Banks / Q000458:organization & administration*; D001781:Blood Component Removal / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001793:Blood Preservation; D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States