A survey of O RhD‐negative red cells in the South West: stocks and distribution compared to use and wastage. Issue 2 (13th February 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Page, J.; Jones, A.; MacRate, E.; Webb, M.; Birchall, J.
• Is Part Of: Transfusion medicine. Volume 24:Issue 2(2014)
• Page Start: 109
• Page End: 113
• Publication Date: 2014-02-13
• Subjects: Blood -- Transfusion -- Periodicals; 615.39
• DOI: 10.1111/tme.12102
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0958-7578

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="tme12102-abs-0001"> <title>SUMMARY</title> <sec id="tme12102-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p id="tme12102-para-0001">O RhD‐negative (ONeg) red cells can be used in an emergency for recipients of other blood groups. Matching supply and demand is currently a challenge; therefore, any service redesign, using more remote blood fridges, must consider ONeg red cell availability.</p> </sec> <sec id="tme12102-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Objectives</title> <p id="tme12102-para-0002">To identify whether the number of fridges stocking emergency ONeg units correlates with use and wastage.</p> </sec> <sec id="tme12102-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p id="tme12102-para-0003">The number and distribution of ONeg red cells was requested from the hospitals in South West England. For NHS Hospitals, comparison was made with ONeg National Health Service (NHS) organisation – NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) issues (ONeg as a proportion of all red cells), wastage and the proportion of ONeg units given to ONeg patients (ONeg‐to‐ONeg use). Correlations were performed using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient.</p> </sec> <sec id="tme12102-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p id="tme12102-para-0004">Of the 23 hospitals, 21 responded. Four hundred and forty three ONeg units were held across the region – 56% as stock and the remaining as emergency units. ONeg issues increased with the number of fridges holding emergency units (<italic>ρ</italic> = 0·48, significance 0·046). No correlation was found between the number of fridges and ONeg wastage or ONeg‐to‐ONeg use. A longer unit shelf life on rotation back to stock was associated with lower wastage (<italic>ρ</italic> = −0·597, significance 0·009).</p> </sec> <sec id="tme12102-sec-0005" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p id="tme12102-para-0005">Although there was a weak correlation between fridge numbers and overall percentage ONeg use, there was no correlation with ONeg wastage.</p> </sec> </abstract>