DETERMINATION OF THE RATE AND CAUSES OF WASTAGE OF BLOOD IN A DEVELOPING COUNTRY LIKE BANGLADESH, A THREE YEAR STUDY.
Abstract
Background: A developing country like Bangladesh is always facing challenges in the world of blood transfusion. The growing health issues are more concerned to furnish the demands in applying blood as a remedy. 40% to 60% of whole blood and components are regularly used up by the patients and therefore also return back owing to rescheduling of operation or not utilized in time. But when this blood remains for a longer period of time in normal temperature that is unfortunately sometimes unreliable to be used up for the next time. Occasionally, the patients attendance collect unscreened blood from the remote area that could not be used up in time and has to be discarded promptly. Component wastage is more because of the ignorance of the traditional physicians for using only the fresh whole blood. These all issues need to be focused more to get back from the entire loss.
Aims: The aim of this study is to notify the way of wastage of blood components and the foremost reasons stay behind for that.
Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective, analytical study based on the statistical data available from hospitals blood banks. In this study total bloodletting from RD was18,858 to 22,167 in the last three year. Total components prepared 18,179 to 21,329. Among them RCC 27.56% - 35.65%, FFP 26.99% - 35.41% , PC 27.59% - 35.34% and PRP 0% to 0.68% were prepared.
Results: The leading reasons included time expiry, wasted imports, blood medically or surgically ordered but not used. Data indicated that total wastage were 5.31% - 7.28% in these years. Amid this 9.47% to 26.81% were platelet concentrate; most of prepared from RD and wasted mainly due to time expiry. Packed cell wastage were 0.41% to 3.03% due to collection in pediatrics bags, expired dates, formation of micro clots, failure of transfusion for bacterial contamination and haemolysis. Whole blood wastage was 0.2% to 2.2% as formation of bulky clot owing to inappropriate mixing with anticoagulant solution during collection. Plasma wastage was 0.26% to 1.52%.Therefore, 1.20% was cracking in blood bags due to mishandling by unskilled passing and 0.32% were blocking of the flow during transfusion.
Conclusion: Modern blood transfusion requires proper storage, rational use as well as wise distribution. To reduce this wastage, the entire transfusion team should recognize the problems in a comprehensive and coordinated way. Blood component wastage is a major concern as we don't have adequate supply of blood and a reputable donor pool. The traditional physicians should also change their perception to use the conventional remedy which is only based on practicing whole blood. This is a common barrier that should be changed as quickly as possible. Consequently, if suitable actions are taken for the above distinguishing reasons then it will be possible to save more blood and the limited capital of this poor state.
Keywords: Blood component, Wastage, Traditional practice.
