Fresh-frozen plasma use in a South African tertiary hospital.
Despite available guidelines on indications for fresh-frozen plasma (FFP) transfusion, inappropriate use is increasing worldwide. We evaluated FFP administration to patients admitted to the Steve Biko Academic Hospital over 4 months, including indications for use and completeness of requisition forms. Transfusions were considered inappropriate for 39.5% of units administered. Of request forms submitted, only 22% had sufficient information for the blood transfusion services of the indication for transfusion. Transfusion with FFP is a medical intervention that carries risks and should be undertaken with care. Although this study was conducted in one centre, it is evident that clinicians' lack of knowledge of the indications for administration of FFP is widespread. Intervention is necessary to improve patient outcomes and reduce expenditure.
Division of Clinical Pathology, Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Pretoria, and National Health Laboratory Service (Tshwane Academic Division), Pretoria. adele.vis@gmail.com.
Adele
A
Visser
Annelize
A
Geldenhuys
Samantha
S
Du Preez
Annemarie
A
Van de Vyver
D044383:Black People; D016913:Blood Component Transfusion / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D006801:Humans; D008485:Medical Audit; D010949:Plasma; D062606:Tertiary Care Centers