A prospective survey of blood products transferred with patients during inter-hospital transfers in the East of England.
OBJECTIVE
A prospective survey was undertaken of blood products transferred with patients during inter-hospital transfers by ambulance in the East of England (population six million)


BACKGROUND
There is little published information on the number and fate of blood products transferred with patients during inter-hospital transfers, although there are concerns about quality assurance and traceability of these blood products. Recent national guidance has been issued, but adherence to this guidance is uncertain.


METHODS
A 6-month survey was undertaken of all inter-hospital transfers of blood products with patients within the East of England using routine data captured by established transfer of blood documentation.


RESULTS
There were 45 transfer episodes of which 44 involved the transfer of red blood cells. In total, 148 units of red blood cells were transferred, of which 6% were transfused en route, 3% transfused at the destination hospital, 35% were wasted and for 18% the fate could not be established. The remainder were transferred into the blood stock of the destination hospital.


CONCLUSIONS
The small proportion of blood products that were transfused raises questions about the necessity of the transfer of blood products with some patients particularly considering the higher percentage of wasted or untraced products. When transfers occur, there should be better communication between hospital transfusion laboratories assisted by adherence to national and regionally agreed policies.
Cambridge University Hospitals.
J H
JH
Bamber
NHS Blood and Transplant, Cambridge, UK.
J
J
O'Brien
Cambridge University Hospitals.|NHS Blood and Transplant, Cambridge, UK.
D
D
Foukaneli
NHS Blood and Transplant, Cambridge, UK.
A
A
Dhesi
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016913:Blood Component Transfusion; D058731:Blood Safety; D002648:Child; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010360:Patient Transfer; D011446:Prospective Studies
blood component transfusion; blood safety; clinical audit; patient transfers