What is it about?
This study examined how blood was requested, cross-matched, and actually used for patients in the Obstetrics and Gynecology department of a teaching hospital in Sikkim over seven years (2012–2018). It evaluated whether blood was being ordered rationally and compared the use of whole blood versus blood components. Key indicators—such as the cross-match-to-transfusion ratio, transfusion probability, and transfusion index—were analyzed to understand efficiency. The study also assessed how practices changed over time, especially after awareness and training sessions were introduced for clinicians.
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Why is it important?
Blood is a limited and lifesaving resource, particularly in regions with low donor numbers such as Sikkim. Over-ordering or under-utilizing blood strain inventory increases costs and may worsen shortages. By showing that early practice involved significant over-ordering but improved substantially after education and sensitization efforts, the study highlights how institutional awareness and guidelines can reduce wastage, ensure the timely availability of components, and improve patient safety. These findings support the broader push for rational transfusion practices in India, especially in obstetrics, where blood demand is high.
Perspectives
For clinicians: The findings underscore the benefits of adhering to evidence-based transfusion protocols, utilizing blood components instead of whole blood, and relying on standardized indices such as CTR and TI to guide practice. For hospital administrators: The improvement seen after training highlights the value of regular transfusion audits and establishing a hospital-specific Maximum Surgical Blood Ordering Schedule (MSBOS). For public health systems: Rational blood utilization reduces wastage and cost, protecting a scarce resource in settings where donor availability is limited. For patients: Improved practices contribute to safer care by reducing unnecessary exposure to transfusions and ensuring availability when genuinely needed.
Dr Supratim Datta
Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Blood Utilization Trends in Obstetrics and Gynecology: A Seven-Year Retrospective Study in a Teaching Hospital in Sikkim, India, Cureus, September 2023, Springer Science + Business Media,
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.45293.
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