Improving blood transfusion practice by regular education in the United Arab Emirates.
BACKGROUND
A cross-match to transfused unit ratio of less than 2.0 is frequently used to assess performance in many hospital blood banks. This brief report was initiated to evaluate the practice at a local hospital and to emphasize the importance of regular educational sessions to improve blood transfusion practice.


METHODS
Retrospective data on cross-match : transfused (C : T) ratio of all departments was collected and educational sessions were given to improve practice. Thereafter, a new set of data was collected and change in practice was assessed.


RESULTS
Initial data showed total (C : T) ratio of 1.95. After medical staff education, analysis showed clinically significant improvement in blood utilization practice with a (C : T) ratio of 1.60.


CONCLUSIONS
This brief report indicates the importance of regular physician education, the potential role of blood transfusion committee, and the need to implement clear guidelines for blood transfusion.
Blood Bank and Hematology Department, Al Qassimi Hospital, Ministry of Health, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. dr_fatmahs@yahoo.co.uk
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Sajwani
D001788:Blood Grouping and Crossmatching / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000592:standards*; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D004522:Educational Status; D017707:Erythrocyte Transfusion / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006757:Hospital Units / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D011364:Professional Practice / Q000592:standards; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D058996:Quality Improvement; D044968:Regenerative Medicine / Q000193:education* / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014479:United Arab Emirates