Global Journal of Transfusion Medicine (Jan 2023)

Transfusion audit and targeted education as tools to improve clinical practice of fresh frozen plasma transfusions: An interventional study

  • Nisha Navin,
  • Shaiji Panthiyil Shahulhameed,
  • Meena Dharmadas

DOI
https://doi.org/10.4103/gjtm.gjtm_32_23
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 8, no. 2
pp. 169 – 175

Abstract

Read online

Background and Objectives: The transfusion of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) is an essential modality of treatment but carries a residual risk of transfusion-transmitted infections and other adverse events. Continuous education and promotion of evidence-based practice are essential among clinicians to follow good clinical practices with respect to transfusion. This study aims to assess the impact of transfusion audit and educational interventions on the appropriateness of FFP transfusions with respect to indications, by comparing the proportion of appropriate FFP requests before and after the intervention. The study was an interventional study done on all medical professionals who requested FFP for various reasons from the department of transfusion medicine, for 1 year from April 01, 2011, to March 31, 2012. Methods: The study was done in three phases, preintervention audit; intervention including continuous education, one-to-one interactions, and hospital transfusion committee-mediated regulations; and postintervention audit. Statistical analysis was done by SPSS version 16. A paired t-test was used to compare quantitative variables which were continuous. Chi-square test was used for associations in categorical data. Results: A total of 3281 units of FFP were transfused in the preintervention period, and 2480 units in the postintervention period. Out of a total of 823 appropriate indications 75.6% indications were definitely indicated in the preintervention period. This increased to 81.8% of total 1290 requests after the intervention. The increase in definite indications was found to be statistically significant. Conclusion: Transfusion audits and educational interventions can create an impact on the appropriateness of FFP Transfusions especially if targeted to particular specialties and continued to follow-up.

Keywords