Abstract
Background and Objectives
Only 40-50% of cross-matched blood bags are used for surgeries, which leads to wastage of blood bags. We investigated the effectiveness of antibody screening in improving blood consumption during surgeries.
 
Materials and Methods
This cross-sectional study was conducted in Chamran and Kosar hospitals in1397-1398 in Shiraz. The number of requested, consumed and cross-matched blood bags and the ratio of cross-match to transfusion in two consecutive years (before and after antibody screening) in Chamran and Kowsar hospitals were compared for one month and five months. The comparison of  ratio test with  Medcalc-7 statistical software was used for analysis.
 
Results
Prior to the antibody screening program, 585 blood bags were requested, 228 crossmatched and only 84 were transfused in Chamran Hospital. After antibody screening 554 requested  blood bags, 98 and 72 bags were crossmatched and transfused, respectively. The cross match -transfusion ratio was decresed  from 2.71 to 1.36 (p< 0.001, 95% CI: 31-25-41 / 98: 95%). Prior to the antibody screening program, out of 3595 requested blood bags, 3377 and 1468 bags were cross-matched and transfused in Kowsar Hospital, respectively. After antibody screening, out of 2183 requested blood bags, 1658 and 1157 bags were crossmatched and transfused, respectively. The cross - match to transfusion ratio was decreased (2.30 to 1.43) (p< 0.001 < 24/28/29/32: 95% CI) after antibody screening.
 
Conclusions 
Initiating antibody screening rationalized blood consumption. Therefore, it seems that it should be established in all hospitals, and coordination with insurance organizations should be done to allocate the budget and provide the required kits.