Scientific Journal of

  Abstract

 Background and Objectives

 Having a better understanding about blood use in trauma care helps us plan to ensure adequate blood and design new protocols to avoid blood loss.

 Materials and Methods

 In this cross-sectional study, 362 of traumatic patients having received blood transfusion in Rajaie Trauma Center in 2011 were randomly selected. Through a questionnaire eliciting information about demographic characteristics, the amount of administered packed RBCs, platelets, and fresh frozen plasma (FFP), the prognosis in patients who received more than 10 packed RBC units with patients who received less than 10 was compared. We used t-test and Chi-squared test for data analysis.

 Results

 The average units of RBC, platelet and FFP administered per trauma case were 3.31 ± 3.74 (1-25), 0.92 ± 5.15 (0-76), and 2.59 ± 6.6 (0-55), respectively. The mean number of RBC units transfused did not correlate with sex, type of injury, age, and patient transport time (p> 0.05). The mean number of blood units used was higher for patients with lower Glasgow scores and for those who died after their injury (p< 0.05). The mortality rate, the mean number of FFP and platelet units transfused, and the need for surgery were higher in patients with massive transfusion (p< 0.05).

 Conclusions

 Given the positive correlation of morbidity and mortality rates in traumatic patients with the amount of blood transfusion, it seems imperative for blood to be used appropriately and judiciously. Designing massive transfusion protocols can lead to better blood usage, decline complications, and ensure blood adequacy.