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Clinical audit of the use of fresh-frozen plasma and platelets in a tertiary teaching hospital and the impact of a new transfusion request form.

Hui CH, Williams I, Davis K

Transfusion Medicine Unit, Royal Adelaide Hospital Campus, Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. chi-hung.hui@imvs.sa.gov.au

AIM: To carry out an audit of the appropriateness of fresh-frozen plasma (FFP) and platelets (Plt) transfusion with reference to the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council/Australian Society of Blood Transfusion Clinical Practice Guidelines, and to assess the impact of a self-educating transfusion request form. METHODS: A prospective review of the clinical indications and laboratory data in all transfusion episodes of FFP and Plt occurring in a tertiary teaching hospital in South Australia in two 2-month periods of the years 2002 and 2003. RESULTS: Reversal of warfarin has emerged as the major indication to transfuse FFP (34%). More than 72% FFP and 88% Plt were prescribed in an appropriate manner, and the majority were monitored adequately. The transfusion request form further improved the appropriate uses and was met with a satisfactory compliance. Further grounds for improvement are in FFP usage by the haematology unit and in cardiac bypass surgery, and Plt by surgical units. CONCLUSION: Clinical transfusion audit helps to identify current pattern of usage and areas of improvement. A self-educating transfusion specific request form is also beneficial.

Published 22 April 2005 in Intern Med J, 35(5): 283-8.
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