title: Variation in the numbers of red blood cell units transfused at different medical institution types from 2006 to 2010 in Korea.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study aimed at assessing the number of red blood cell (RBC) units transfused at different types of medical institution and examining the characteristics of transfusion recipients.
  
  
  METHODS
  We calculated and compared the number of transfusion recipients, total RBC units transfused, and RBC units transfused per recipient. Study data were extracted from insurance benefits reimbursement claims for RBC units at the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service from 2006 to 2010.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Between 2006 and 2010, the number of recipients of RBC units increased from 298,049 to 376,445, the number of RBC units transfused increased from 1,460,799 to 1,841,695, and the number of RBC units transfused per recipient changed from 4.90 to 4.89. The number of recipients aged ≥65 yr increased from 133,833 (44.9%) in 2006 to 196,127 (52.1%) in 2010. The highest number of RBC units was transfused to patients with neoplastic diseases (31.9%) and diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (14.4%). More than 80% of the total number of RBC units were transfused at tertiary and general hospitals. However, this composition rate was slightly decreasing, with the composition rate for hospitals increasing from 12.6% to 16.3%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study revealed an increase in the number of RBC units transfused over a 5-yr period due to an increase in the number of transfused recipients, especially recipients aged ≥65 yr; moreover, the number of RBC units transfused differed based on medical institution type. These results provide fundamental data on RBC transfusions required for future research.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seou, Korea.
authors.forename: Vitna
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hyeongsu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Kunsei
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Sounghoon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Mina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hur
authors.forename: Jongwon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Sinyoung
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Sang Won
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Young-Eun
authors.initials: YE
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003240:Connective Tissue Diseases / Q000628:therapy; D016208:Databases, Factual; D017707:Erythrocyte Transfusion / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends*; D005260:Female; D006769:Hospitals, General / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007349:Insurance, Health, Reimbursement / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000628:therapy; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy; D056910:Republic of Korea; D012737:Sex Factors; D062606:Tertiary Care Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: RBC; Transfused recipients; Transfusion