Reduction of the Platelet Transfusion Dose and Its Effects.
10.3343/kjlm.2009.29.2.158
- Author:
Eun Jung BAEK
1
;
Yang Soon LEE
;
Hyo Sik KIM
;
In Cheol BAE
;
Hyun Ok KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. hyunok1019@yuhs.ac
- Publication Type:Original Article ; English Abstract
- Keywords:
Platelet;
Transfusion dose;
Adequate transfusion;
Transfusion guidelines
- MeSH:
Evaluation Studies as Topic;
Humans;
Organizational Policy;
Platelet Count;
*Platelet Transfusion
- From:The Korean Journal of Laboratory Medicine
2009;29(2):158-162
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: In Korea, a platelet transfusion dose (TD) of 8 units of platelet concentrates (PC) is usually used. To minimize the shortage of blood products and transfusion-related adverse reactions, the TD has been changed from 8 to 6 units in 2006 in our hospital. Here, we analyzed the dose reduction effect on patients' platelet counts and transfusion frequency. METHODS: We compared the amount of issued PC, platelet counts before and after transfusion, post-transfusion platelet increments, and transfusion frequencies in patients who were transfused with 8 PC in 2006 and 6 PC in 2008. RESULTS: Despite an increase in the number of admitted patients by 20% in 2008 with a disease distribution similar to that in 2006, the number of issued PC in 2008 was decreased by 26.6% compared to that in 2006. In 2008, post-transfusion platelet counts, pre-transfusion platelet counts in patients transfused with 320 mL whole blood-derived PC, and platelet increments in patients transfused with 400 mL whole blood-derived PC were significantly decreased. However, the mean transfusion frequency per one month was not significantly different, 4.3 times in 2006 and 4.7 in 2008. CONCLUSIONS: By implementing a policy of platelet TD restriction, the amount of total issued PC was markedly decreased. Although post-transfusion platelet counts were decreased, the transfusion frequency in a month was not significantly increased. The restriction of platelet TD was helpful for increasing physicians' recognition of blood shortage while achieving similar transfusion effects. We conclude that 6 units of PC would be a better guideline for the platelet TD.
