Evaluation of Packed Cell Utilization Efficiency at Ganjavian Hospital, Dezful: A Cross Sectional Study

Behzadifard, Mahin; Ehsanifar, Mohammad Hossein; Saadatifar, Hakimeh

doi:10.22118/jsmj.2025.512814.3860

Evaluation of Packed Cell Utilization Efficiency at Ganjavian Hospital, Dezful: A Cross Sectional Study

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Mahin Behzadifard ¹

Mohammad Hossein Ehsanifar ²

Hakimeh Saadatifar ³

¹ Department of Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Dezful University of Medical Sciences, Dezful, Iran.

² Student Research Committee, Dezful University of Medical Sciences, Dezful, Iran..

³ Department of Cardiovascular, Dezful University of Medical Sciences, Dezful, Iran.

10.22118/jsmj.2025.512814.3860

Abstract

Background and Objectives Blood transfusion is crucial for many patients, but excessive requests may lead to resource wastage and increased healthcare costs. This study assessed blood consumption across different departments of Ganjavian Hospital, Dezful, in 2023.
Subjects and Methods This descriptive cross-sectional study analyzed blood request forms from hospitalized patients archived in the hospital’s blood bank. The number and type of cross-matched and transfused blood units were recorded, and Transfusion Index (TI) and Crossmatch-to-Transfusion Ratio (C/T) were calculated for each department. TI = Total units transfused ÷ Number of patients cross-matched, C/T Ratio = Total units cross-matched ÷ Total units transfused.
Results A total of 11,763 blood requests and 18,563 packed red blood cell (PRBC) units were recorded. Female patients received 57.8% of transfused blood, while male patients accounted for 42.2%. Patients over 40 years old comprised 51% of all requests, compared to only 9% for those under 20 years. In total, 64.4% of the requested units were transfused. The C/T ratio was below 2.5 in most departments but exceeded the optimal threshold in Orthopedics (3.39), Male Surgery (5.25), and Neurosurgery (3.32). The TI was above 0.5 in most departments but lower in these three departments. The overall hospital values were C/T = 1.94 and TI = 1.1.
Conclusion Most departments had optimal transfusion indices, but excessive blood requests were observed in Orthopedics, Male Surgery, and Neurosurgery. Implementing targeted blood request protocols in departments with high C/T ratios may significantly reduce unnecessary cross-matching and cost burden. Variability in transfusion practices among physicians may contribute to inefficient utilization. Therefore, developing and implementing a hospital-wide MSBOS and regular audits may reduce unnecessary cross-matching and improve blood utilization efficiency.

Keywords

Blood transfusion

Packed red blood cells

Transfusion index (TI)

Crossmatch-to-transfusion ratio (C/T)

Subjects

Medical

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