The use of blood and blood products in the Paediatric Unit of Port Moresby General Hospital
- Author:
M Kariko
1
;
Nakapi Tefuarani
2
;
Paulus Ripa
3
;
John D Vince
2
Author Information
1. Paediatric Department, Port Moresby General Hospital, Papua New Guinea
2. School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby
3. Discipline of Child Health, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Papua New Guinea,
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH:
Paediatric;
Blood - transfusion;
Blood products - Therapeutic use
- From:
Papua New Guinea medical journal
2016;59(1-2):54-61
- CountryPapua New Guinea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
This prospective descriptive study aimed to document the use and the quality of delivery of blood products in paediatric patients at the Port Moresby General Hospital. Paediatric patients transfused in the Paediatric Ward, the Special Care Nursery, the general Intensive Care Unit, the full Nursing Care Ward and the Children's Outpatient Department were included. 555 transfusion requests were dispensed from the blood bank to paediatric patients during the six months from the end of February to August 2012. Detailed information about age, sex, diagnosis, indication for transfusion and whether or not this followed standard indications, timeliness of transfusion and the quality of the transfusion procedure was recorded for a convenience sample of 64 patients, 37 males and 27 females, with a median age of 33 months and an interquartile range of 9-72 months. The most common indication for transfusion was infection-related anaemia. 50% of patients transfused did not meet standard indications for this intervention. In 86% of cases there was a delay in blood transfusion, blood shortage being an important contributing factor. Adequate monitoring of transfusion occurred in only 20% of the patients. No major adverse reactions were reported. It is highly recommended that a blood transfusion checklist be designed to improve the quality of blood transfusion practices and monitoring. Clinicians need to improve their prescribing of blood in accordance with established guidelines.
