Evaluation of Blood Product Requests in the Emergency Department: A Prospective Observational Study

Abstract

Objective: Emergency department (ED) blood product requests are rising, but it is unclear if they are excessive. We aimed to examine the blood product requests and usage rates made by emergency physicians to determine whether the requests for blood products are excessive. Material and Method: This prospective, observational, and single-center study analyzed demographic data indications for blood transfusion, and transfusion rates of patients aged 18 years and older admitted to a tertiary adult emergency department in five months. Results: One thousand four hundred seventy-five blood product requests (with a mean of 6.92 units per patient) were examined. Of 63.1%, these requests were not used. The transfusion rates were 40.89 % for erythrocyte suspension, 25.61% for thrombocyte suspension, and 44.34% for fresh frozen plasma. The main indications for requesting blood products were gastrointestinal bleeding and anemia. Specifically, 30.04% of erythrocyte suspensions, 31.9% of thrombocyte suspensions, and 60.56% of fresh frozen plasma were used for patients with gastrointestinal bleeding. In trauma patients, 12.75% of requested erythrocyte suspensions, 0.083% of thrombocyte suspensions, and 13.89% of fresh frozen plasma were utilized. Conclusion: Excessive requests for blood products in the emergency department can misuse resources. The transfusion committee should develop specialized strategies and increase physician awareness to reduce unnecessary requests and optimize resource utilization.