Abstract
PURPOSE: Blood transfusion is an important part of patient management. Indications for blood use must be clear in the mind of ordering clinicians, to avoid its misuse and also to avoid unnecessary exposure of the patient to donor blood antigens, adverse reactions and transfusion transmissible diseases. METHODS: In a retrospective pilot study, details of whole blood and components transfused were noted and correlated with the patient's diagnosis and indications for transfusion, during 1 month. RESULTS: The blood units supplied were 720. Whole blood was the most utilized product; followed by packed red blood cells. Supply of blood was maximum to the surgical wards. The patients of trauma followed by malignancy and surgery required whole blood mostly. Anemia was the most common indication for blood products. CONCLUSIONS: Periodic review of blood component usage is very important to assess the blood utilization pattern in any hospital.