Scientific Journal of

Abstract
Background and Objectives
This study aimed to investigate the management of the consumption of blood bags in the elective procedures in the public and private hospitals in Iran. Due to the issue of blood shortages caused by unpredictable demand besides immediate requirements for blood units in particular conditions, the strategic management of consumption of this vital source is necessary.
 
Materials and Methods
In this study, we evaluated 30 articles published from 2005 to 2017 which included the most important observational and interventional researches in Iran. These articles had investigated the consumption procedure and the likely wastage rate of blood bags in the operating rooms of Iranian hospitals.
 
Results
The results of this review showed the over-reservation of the blood units due to the lack of standard protocols for blood ordering, and the negligence of relevant staff toward expiry date and reserved/returned units as the most prevalent reasons for blood component wastage in operating rooms. The results of the studies carried out showed that conducting some effective interventions led to reduction of the rate of blood wastage and improvement of the standard blood transfusion indices such as cross-match to transfusion ratio (C/T ratio), Transfusion Probability (TP), and Transfusion Index (TI).
 
Conclusions 
According to previous studies, the organization of a committee on the principles of managing blood supply at the national, local and hospital levels, implementation of standard blood transfusion guidelines, and establishment of training programs for physicians and nurses on the process of optimizing blood usage will be effective

Abstract
Background and Objectives
Blood consumption is of great importance in the world and Iranian medicine and is effective in saving the lives of many patients. The high cost of preparing blood and blood products indicates the considerable importance of managing the use of blood bags.

Materials and Methods
This study was descriptive and cross-sectional. The study tool was a researcher-made questionnaire with five options based on the Likert scale; its validity and reliability were confirmed by experts. The sample included 201 anesthesiologists, surgeons, and operating room staff of Nemazee Hospital to complete the questionnaire. Data were analyzed in SPSS 23 software.

Results
In evaluating the current situation of optimal blood consumption management in the operating rooms from the participants' point of view, the most common items included:  "Development of educational programs to manage blood consumption through meetings and lectures, and retraining and training workshops" and "Registration and reporting of reasons for obsolescence of blood products (e.g. poor performance in over-ordering)" (79.1% and 78.1%, respectively). In terms of feasibility, the most common factors improving the current situation consisted of: "Use of safe blood transport equipment in the hospital" and "Prioritize the use of older blood bags instead of newer blood bags (in accordance with FIFO law (First In / First Out) by blood banks)".

Conclusions 
This study showed that blood reservation is done too much. In this regard, there is a need for more control in terms of quality and quantity in the operating room of hospitals.